The flat black paint vs matte black – are they similar or different?
The paint finish always plays an important role regardless of which one you choose. In other words, it can impact how the color appears after you apply the paint to the vehicle’s body.
Also, it helps to determine the automotive paint’s durability through tests.
Among several types, flat and matte black constitute the most common paint finishes applied for cars. In particular, they could be interchangeable due to the no/minimum glossy finishes.
That said, is flat black and matte black the same?
NO, they show some differences. For better understanding, Let’s dig into our comparison of flat black vs matte black below.
What’s the Difference Between Flat Black Paint Vs Matte Black?
Many people think that they are 100% the same. But we still found some dissimilarities. Flat black comes as a solid paint finish without shine or gloss.
On the other hand, matte black makes a smooth surface. The maintenance of flat black is also less demanding.
Flat Black Paint
Flat black is a very dark coating or paints for cars. With this option, there will be little or no reflection. It is one of the most common car options due to its sleek and modern look.
Since there is no shine with the flat finish, it often becomes a great choice to hide irregularities or imperfections on the car surface.
Without the high gloss level, the flat paint can go with a touchup coat better than its counterpart does. In other words, it cannot reflect so well.
That said, this first idea still comes with drawbacks. Under low-light conditions, it seems hard to see a vehicle in the flat black.
However, this type of paint is so washable that it can easily hold up any mild clean.
Matte Black Paint
According to experts, the matte black finishes belong to the velvet car paint finishes list. It is always impressive in the classic without gloss.
However, compared to the flat choice, this one has a bit more shine. It is because the paint absorbs rather than reflects the light.
In other words, with the matte paint, your car will look very sophisticated and classy. In particular, you can find perfection with the well-polished surface.
The special matte look can make an amazing color blend of the wheels, tires, and rims. Based on your choices, the black could be too dark, sometimes.
The combination of the whole vehicle with the matte paint finish may confuse you to finding your car. That said, the story can be different in some cases.
For example, you park your matte black Honda Civics on the snow.
Are Matte Black & Flat Black Paint Easy To Maintain?
As for maintenance, is matte black and flat black the same? We are afraid not. Each of them shows different challenges for you to maintain.
Matte Black
In comparison with other paint colors, the matte black lacks some shine. It tends to let blemishes like scratches stay prominently.
So, it will require polishing the surface frequently so that you can maintain its pristine look.
As a time-saving solution, we suggest choosing high-quality paints. A good choice can not only give your car a high-tech appearance but also low-maintenance.
Flat Black
What about flat vs matte black? Maintaining the former seems to be less challenging. That said, it is still a hard journey to go. Maintenance requires you to be very careful.
For example, waxing or polishing is never a practical option for flat paint finish. These methods could illuminate your vehicle’s flat coat and diminish the paint look.
So, is there any alternative option?
The answer is YES. You can use water and soap only. After cleaning the surface with a soft towel, let it dry.
There is no doubt that the flat paint can provide a cool look. However, it causes several pitfalls, sometimes.
If you love a low-gloss paint finish (but not the matte type), we recommend going for the flat one.
Which One Is Better For Your Cars?
What is the difference between flat black and matte black for better decision-making? Let’s keep moving with a detailed analysis.
In general, all types of paint often start with a full gloss. Then, some titanium oxide can cause them to lose their glossy texture.
The comparison of matte black vs flat black paint focuses on four main points. They include the gloss rate, applying places, scrubbing ability, and camouflaging.
Gloss Rate
- Flat finish comes with 0-5% of gloss.
- Matte finish bears around 5-10% of gloss.
Places To Apply
It is up to you to apply matte or flat black paint to your cars.
Scrubbing Ability
- It is almost impossible to scrub or remove marks on a matte-finished surface.
- You can easily scrub or remove marks on the surface with flat paint.
Camouflaging
- Flat paint does not offer a glossy finish. Thus, it is only available to cover some minor bumps or imperfections on the surface.
- Thanks to a low gloss level, matte paint enables you to cover bumps or imperfections on the car body well.
Regarding car paints, the matte black vs flat black often becomes a key to the discussion. To sum up, we would like to summarize the difference between flat black and matte black.
The flat black attracts attention as a solid color without shine or gloss. On the other hand, the matte one is a combination of textures that bear a slight gloss.
In terms of the low maintenance, it would be better to choose the flat paint black.
Keeping your vehicles clean from fingerprints or dirt tends to be much easier. The darker the paint is, the more visible the dirty marks will be on the surface.
However, the matte option brings your car a greater look. In other words, it makes your car more personality, which helps the baby look prominent in any compact parking area.
Final Thought
It is all about our quick comparison of flat black paint vs matte black. Generally, there is no industry standard to make a 100% exact definition for these two.
One manufacturer could define A paint as “flat” while the other calls it “matte”.Hence, it would be better for you to purchase and try some samples before applying the paint to a surface.
This way, you can determine if the product is suitable for your cars at most.