Many drivers choose the car wash as a quick way to keep their vehicle clean. It’s practical, fast, often inexpensive. But when it comes to a matte bodywork finish, this habit can backfire. Unlike glossy surfaces, which reflect light and can temporarily hide small imperfections, matte paint is more sensitive to visible changes—especially after the wrong or overly aggressive treatments. And so, instead of enhancing the elegant depth of a matte finish, you end up damaging it, with streaks, spots, shinier patches or uneven areas that take away the overall harmony.
And yet, fixing it is possible. Even on your own, even without professional equipment. You just need to know the right steps—and above all, choose products carefully designed to respect the matte nature of the paint.
In this guide you’ll find:
- Deep cleaning to restore uniformity
- The step that seals the care
- Why the right cloth matters
- A routine that tells who you are
Deep cleaning to restore uniformity
What you can truly do after going through an automatic car wash is deep-clean the car’s surface and remove any residue. Often, what we see after an automatic wash isn’t irreversible damage, but the result of unsuitable detergents or incompatible waxes applied by the machine. That’s why it’s essential to act quickly, before these residues can build up and harden. Timing makes a huge difference. And it’s even better if, alongside quick action, you can use Matt Paint Cleaner | Kit —which includes a specific, non-foaming cleaner for matte paint, developed specifically for washing and cleaning matte surfaces, plus Shampoo Glove, a glove made from high-quality materials. The product is easy to use and suitable even on plastics, rubber, and exterior trims. Unlike universal cleaners—often too aggressive or rich in gloss-enhancing substances—this formula is designed to clean deeply without altering the matte finish, removing every trace of dirt, dust, smog, and the invisible contamination left behind by rollers or car-wash products.
Using it is extremely simple and can easily be done at home with just a few tools. Dilute the product in a bucket of water following the recommended ratios. Then use the glove, working on small sections of the bodywork and avoiding overly energetic circular motions—cleaning must be controlled, precise, respectful of the surface. Finally, rinse each section thoroughly with clean water, ideally without letting the product dry on the paint.
At the end, dry the car immediately to prevent limescale marks or water spots from forming.
This step, often overlooked, is actually the foundation for every treatment that follows. Only on a truly clean surface can an effective protectant be applied. Done this way, you reduce the need for more complex treatments over time, keeping the paint uniform, compact, and visually balanced.
The step that seals the care
Once the bodywork has been gently washed, carefully dried, and freed from any residue, it’s time for protection. Matte surfaces need a product that protects without adding shine, and the most suitable choice at this stage is Renewing Protective Detailer, a protective spray designed for anyone who wants to enhance the car’s original matte look. Its action is twofold: on one hand it removes any light residues left after drying, and on the other it creates an invisible barrier against dust, smog, humidity, UV rays, and minor contaminants. To use this quick detailer, it’s important to work on a dry surface, not exposed to direct sunlight. Spray the product onto a small section at a time and use Microfibre Cloth red with gentle, linear strokes, without pressing too hard.
No rinsing is needed—just let the product sit in the air for a few minutes. It will dry on its own, leaving the surface perfectly matte and protected.
Why the right cloth matters
Sometimes people assume all cloths are the same. A false belief—something taken for granted.
And when it comes to matte paint, choosing the right cloth becomes even more delicate.
Matte surfaces are more vulnerable to micro-scratches, rubbing marks, and product buildup caused by uneven application. For this reason, it’s essential to use a cloth that is soft, absorbent, and free of aggressive seams—able to spread and remove products without leaving traces. During drying, after washing, you need a dry, clean cloth folded into multiple layers to dab the bodywork. You should never rub with force, because these surfaces are delicate. Careful drying is indispensable, as is applying products to matte paint without leaving streaks or scratches. After every use, the cloth should always be washed on its own, separately from everything else, using neutral soap (Marseille soap) without fabric softener, at low temperatures, then left to air-dry without spinning. This keeps it soft over time and ready for the next use, without the risk of contamination from chemicals or unsuitable detergents.
A routine that tells who you are
Taking care of your car is a sign of respect—for what accompanies you, for the time you spend behind the wheel, for the impression you leave when you arrive somewhere. And when you choose a matte bodywork finish, you do it for taste, for identity. But you also do it knowing that beauty must be protected, not delegated—that its care becomes natural, fluid, yours.
On the-care.it you’ll find everything you need to build your personal maintenance strategy, thanks to formulas designed for the needs of matte paint, precision accessories, and real support at every stage. And if you have doubts, questions, or want a tailored guide, we’re here. Because behind every well-maintained surface, there’s a story made of details. Of careful hands. Of gestures that speak softly—but say everything.