Gloss or matte PPF: which finish should you choose?

Gloss and matte paint protection film stop rock chips, scratches, and road rash equally well. Both are self-healing. The difference is the finish.

Gloss: Autobahn Incognito X

Gloss film is optically clear. On gloss paint, it disappears and actually deepens the color with a wet look.

• Invisible on gloss paint
• The right choice for almost every car with gloss paint

Matte: Autobahn Stärke

Matte film has a satin finish. It does two different jobs:

• Protecting factory matte paint. Matte and frozen paints can't be polished. A scratch or etch mark on matte paint often means a repaint. Stärke keeps the factory matte look and takes the damage instead.
• Turning gloss paint satin. Put Stärke over a gloss car and the whole car goes satin. It's a popular alternative to a vinyl wrap, with real impact protection, and it can be removed to bring the gloss back.

Stärke carries a 10-year warranty.

Things to know about matte

• Matte is usually done as Full Body, so the finish is the same on every panel.
• Matte finishes need matte-safe soaps and no wax or glossy sprays.
• A ceramic coating made for matte finishes can go over it to make washing easier.

Which should you pick?

• Gloss paint and you want it to look like paint? Incognito X.
• Factory matte paint? Stärke, Full Body.
• Gloss car and you want the satin look? Stärke, Full Body.

See our PPF packages.

Common questions

Does matte PPF protect as well as gloss? Yes. Both stop rock chips and scratches and both are self-healing. Only the finish is different.

Can matte PPF make a gloss car matte? Yes. Autobahn Stärke over gloss paint gives the whole car a satin finish, and it can be removed later.

Can you polish matte paint? No. Polishing makes matte paint shiny in spots. That's why PPF is the best way to protect factory matte paint.