Matte vinyl wrap changes how your car looks in the light. The surface scatters light instead of reflecting it, so people see the body lines and panel shapes, not the reflections. Our matte films include flat solid colors, textured blacks, pearls, a matte metallic and a self-healing black that recovers from light scratches and wash swirls with gentle heat. Choose from black, white, grey, green, beige and coral. Wrap the whole car or just the roof, hood or mirrors, and peel it off when you want your original paint back.
Matte Types Compared
All of these films have a low-sheen surface. What sits in or under that surface is what makes each type look and behave differently on a car.
| Matte type | What you see | How it behaves on a car | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 Flat Solid ColorsCM, SCM
|
One flat, even color with no flake, grain or shine. It comes in black, white, grey, green, beige and coral. | It is directional. It hides small dents and waves better than any other finish, but hand marks and stains show. | Matte Black (CM01M) Military Green (CM09) Granite Grey (SCM47) Alaska White (SCM02) |
 Soft-Sheen BlackTC01, CM14
|
A deep black with a soft, velvety sheen instead of a dead-flat surface. Raven Black adds graphite highlights as the car moves. | It sits between matte and satin, so it looks softer than flat matte. It is directional. | Sable Black (TC01) Raven Black (CM14) |
 Textured Super MatteCM01-MS, CM02-MS
|
A fine grain in a super matte black. You see the texture up close, and from a distance it reads as solid black. | It is directional. The grain adds depth up close. Rinse off fuel and bird droppings quickly. | Sandy Black (CM01-MS) Grainy Black (CM02-MS) |
 Matte PearlTC02, CM15
|
A fine pearl under a low-sheen surface. It shows in direct light or at an angle, and reads near solid in the shade. | The pearl is directional, so cut every panel the same way. Check a sample outside before you choose. | Piniengruen Pearl (TC02) Pearl Black (CM15) |
 Matte MetallicMT01
|
A flat finish with a fine metallic grain, like factory matte metallic paint. | It is a 190 series film, so it post-heats hotter than other matte films. Use inlays for deep recesses. | Coal Black (MT01) More matte metallic colors |
 PRO+ Self-HealingSCM01-PRO+
|
A deep, light-absorbing black that reads darker than standard matte. | Light wash swirls go away with gentle heat. Deep scratches do not. | Velvet Black (SCM01-PRO+) |
 Training RollsCM01M, CM09, MT01
|
Full 59 ft rolls of popular matte colors from aged stock. | For practice and training only. They have no warranty and are not for customer vehicles. | CM01M Training Roll CM09 Training Roll MT01 Training Roll |
Matte vs Satin vs Gloss Vinyl Wrap
Matte is the right choice for a stealth look, or when your bodywork is not perfect. If you want the easiest finish to keep clean, choose gloss. Satin sits in between.
| Feature | Matte | Satin | Gloss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Flat, no shine | Soft, low shine | Wet shine, like factory paint |
| Dents and waves | Hides them best | Hides small ones | Shows them clearly |
| Swirl marks | None, but hand marks and stains show | Hard to see | Easy to see |
| Washing and care | Most care, matte-safe products only | A little more care | Easiest |
| Shop this finish | You are here | Satin vinyl wrap | Gloss vinyl wrap |
Matte Film Specs
| Film | Hybrid calendered polymeric vinyl, 180 series. Matte Metallic (MT01) is 190 series. |
| Thickness | 0.11-0.14 mm (4.3-5.5 mil) |
| Adhesive | Henkel solvent acrylic with air-release channels. You can reposition it at first, and it reaches full bond in 24-48 hours. |
| Liner and cap | Air-release liner, with a protective cap on the face. Remove the cap before you install. |
| Conformability | Flat and moderately curved panels. Use inlays for deep recesses. |
| Application temperature | 17-23 °C (63-73 °F) |
| Post-heat | 75-90 °C (167-194 °F) for 180 series matte, 100 °C (212 °F) for Matte Metallic (MT01). Going hotter burnishes matte to a permanent shine. |
| Outdoor durability | Up to 3 years on vertical panels and about 2 years across a full wrap, depending on climate and care. Remove it within 2 years for the cleanest removal. |
| Rolls | All are 5 ft (1.52 m) wide. Lengths are 16, 33, 49 and 59 ft (5, 10, 15 and 18 m). Some colors come in full 59 ft rolls only. |
| Shelf life | 2 years at 10-20 °C (50-68 °F) and 50% humidity |
Installing and Caring for Matte Vinyl
Matte installs much like our other films, with one big difference: pressure and heat both change the surface. Hard squeegee strokes, over-buffing or too much heat can burnish matte to a shine that will not come back. Use a soft buffer and light pressure, and post-heat only to the temperature listed for that film. Matte films are directional, so cut every panel the same way and wrap the whole car from one production LOT.
Matte needs different care, not more of it. Wait 48 hours before the first wash, then hand wash with two buckets and a pH-neutral, matte-safe shampoo, and pat the car dry. Skip wax, polish, gloss enhancers and silicone products, because they leave permanent shiny patches. Rinse off fuel, bird droppings, sap and tar right away, because they stain matte faster than gloss.
Prepping and cutting vinyl filmInstall guide
Why wraps lift and bubbleTroubleshooting
Car washes and wrap lifeCare guide
Protecting a wrap from UV and scratchesCare guide
Matte Vinyl Wrap FAQ
How much matte vinyl do I need, and what does it cost?
A full 59 ft roll, enough for most sedans, is $499 for most colors. SUVs, trucks and vans usually need more. Cut lengths start at $189 for 16 ft (5 m). Order the whole job plus about 20% from one production LOT, and check your vehicle with our material calculator. In the US, full rolls ship free with duties paid.
Does matte vinyl hide dents and bodywork?
Yes, better than any other finish. Matte scatters light, so small dents, waves, filler edges and orange peel largely disappear under it. It will not straighten a bent panel, so repair real damage first.
How long does a matte wrap last?
Up to 3 years outdoors on vertical panels and about 2 years across a full wrap, depending on your climate and care. The hood, roof and trunk take the most sun and age first. Parking under cover and a matte-rated ceramic coating both extend the finish.
Is matte vinyl hard to look after?
It needs different care, not more of it. Hand wash with a pH-neutral, matte-safe shampoo, pat the car dry and avoid wax, polish or anything that adds shine. A matte-rated ceramic coating makes cleaning easier, but a gloss coating will change the finish.
Can I take a matte-wrapped car through a car wash?
Touchless washes are fine. Brush washes are not, because the brushes drag grit, lift edges and polish shiny patches into the finish. If you use a pressure washer, keep it at least 16 inches (40 cm) away and off the edges.
What stains matte, and what should I do about a fuel spill?
Fuel, bird droppings, tree sap, bugs and tar. Matte has more surface texture than gloss, so these grip faster. Rinse fuel off with water straight away, and do not wipe it dry first. Caught wet, it usually clears. Left to dry, it can leave a permanent mark.
Can shiny spots or scratches on matte be fixed?
No. Wax, polish, silicone and too much heat all leave permanent shiny patches, and there is no clear coat to polish a scratch out of. If wash swirls worry you, choose Velvet Black (SCM01-PRO+). Its self-healing top coat closes light swirls with gentle heat.
Can I install matte vinyl myself?
Yes, but matte is less forgiving than gloss. Hard squeegee pressure, over-buffing and too much heat all leave shiny marks that will not come out. Practice on a mirror or spoiler first, or on a training roll. For a full car, use a professional installer, because the warranty requires professional installation. Find a wrap shop near you.
Is this cast or calendered film?
Calendered. Our matte films are hybrid polymeric calendered vinyl. Cast film is thinner, stretches further into deep recesses and carries a longer rating. Calendered film is thicker and stands up well to everyday knocks. If you plan to keep the same color for many years, a long-life cast film is the better fit.
Does a matte wrap protect paint from stone chips?
Will a matte wrap damage my paint when I remove it?
Not on sound factory paint, if you remove it within 2 years. Warm the panel first, then peel the film slowly at a low angle. Repainted or repaired panels can lift with the film.
