MATTE VS. GLOSS BIKE FRAME PROTECTION

SHOULD I GET A MATTE OR GLOSS RIDEWRAP KIT?

Matte vs. gloss. It’s an age old debate. Which one should I pick? We hear this question pretty often. Riders want to know if they should run a gloss or matte frame protection kit on their gloss or matte bike. So we’re here to help you make that call.

THE FACTS

GLOSS FILM

• Gloss film protects your bike and enhances the factory sheen. 
• The hydrophobic characteristics of this film make cleaning your bike easier.
• Gloss film on a matte bike will make colour vibrant. Gloss film on a raw carbon matte bike will enhance the look of the raw carbon.
• Self heals – minor blemishes disappear with the help of time and warmth.
• Keeps paint chips and scratches at bay.
• Can be applied to both matte and gloss finished bicycle frames for varying outcomes.

MATTE FILM

• Matte film protects your bike just as well as a gloss film. 
• It prevents matte wear through on your frame. Matte wear through is what happens when the matte paint finish is polished to a shine. Usually a result of riding kit or shoes rubbing the frame and polishing it with tiny grains of dirt or mud.
• Matte film’s finish is a satin finish. Satin gives a silky or velvety look to a bike frame. The satin finish reflects significantly less light than gloss, but still reflects more light than a true matte. 
• The hydrophobic characteristics of this film make cleaning your bike easier.
• Self heals – minor blemishes disappear with the help of time and warmth.
• Keeps paint chips and scratches at bay.
• The matte film can be applied to both matte or gloss frames for varying outcomes.

THE CHOICES

MATTE FILM ON MATTE BIKE

If you want to maintain the flat matte finish of your bike we recommend applying matte film. The film we use is not as dull as a true matte finish. Our film is more of a satin finish. It brings up the saturation and vibrance of your bike’s paint without making it shiny.

MATTE FILM ON GLOSS BIKE

Wish your gloss bike came in a matte finish? Opt for our matte film. With our matte film you can change the factory look of your bike. The matte film dulls the shine of a gloss paint job giving your bike a more stealthy look.

GLOSS FILM ON MATTE BIKE

Gloss Film on a matte bike is a combination we see very often. The gloss film actually tends make the bike’s colour pop. If your bike has a raw carbon look (you can see the carbon weave) a gloss wrap will bring out the weave and give the bike some cool texture.

GLOSS FILM ON GLOSS BIKE

We usually recommend matching the factory finish of the bike. Our gloss film enhances the factory shine. And because our film is self healing, it maintains the look much longer than the factory paint. When our film starts to look a little beat up you can always remove that piece and order a replacement.