Author Topic: Matte or Gloss finish: whats your preference (Read 3780 times)

dave1068 · « **on:** August 21, 2021, 05:55:00 PM »

As I await the storm in the northeast, I figured Id start some light chat on what the members like on bikes. I have a V85TT which Im going to have painted soon. I know many MGs seem to have matte finish these days, Ive always preferred the look of a more shiny finish that ies easier to keep clean and shiny.

Feel free to leave your .02....

ampm7 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2021, 06:13:50 PM »

Shiny is best as after time matte lets water intrusion to penetrate the upper layer of paint. This can take quite a bit of time or not much time at all according to where you live and how well your bike is protected. I just like shine...think muscle car as none of those except dragsters are going to be matte...

9fingers · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2021, 08:55:52 PM »

Exactly how does one polish out scratches in a matte finish? I wills stick with glosss.

dsrdave · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2021, 09:58:30 PM »

I always thought the matte finish was a way to hide poor bodywork….

Vagrant · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2021, 06:04:13 AM »

GLOSS, shiney, anything but matte!

dave1068 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2021, 06:43:18 AM »

So most riders prefer gloss finish, manufacturers give us matte....

ToddK · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2021, 07:10:43 AM »

When matte first started to be a thing I thought it looked pretty cool. But I'm all about shiny these days, haha.

blu guzz · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2021, 07:16:03 AM »

I like polishing glossy surfaces on a motorcycle. It seems a part of the "bonding" process. I think matte is good for utilitarian objects, but to me, motorcycles don't qualify as utilitarian.

9fingers · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2021, 07:19:36 AM »

Quote from: dave1068 on August 22, 2021, 06:43:18 AM

So most riders prefer gloss finish, manufacturers give us matte....

Yes but, as Moto Guzzi owners..........we are not really part of the mainstream now are we? Or, our opinion does not count..........Ha Ha

Ncdan · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2021, 08:00:30 AM »

My 02 Stone is my first bike with a matte finish and I like it. I guess for me I’m neutral in feelings and if Im getting a used bike it would not be a deciding factor to buy or not but the bike.

LowRyter · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2021, 08:05:47 AM »

shiny and deep

SIR REAL ED · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2021, 08:19:40 AM »

a timely subject for me. I recently painted the fame on a 1976 Kawasaki KE 175. I wet sanded with 220 and went with gloss. With gloss it is tough to get a consistent shine on the frame, since when paint one section, you are assured of overspray on another section. At least with a rattle can, I'm sure a spray gun would be better.

Plus in order to get a better shiny finish with gloss paint, I would recommend wet sanding with 400 grit. Gloss paint jobs magnify imperfections.

With the older bikes, from now on I'm going with matte paint on the frame. A new matte painted frame on an old bike looks like a well kept original paint job that has just lost some of the shine with time. A gloss painted frame on an old bike looks like a frame that has obviously been restored.

Regarding flat smooth body work, gloss looks better, it looks OEM and manufactured. An exception would be for those cases where one is trying to get a utilitarian, military, punk or "painted in my garage" look.

For added protection, I have noticed that clear coat also comes in gloss or matte.

Flat paints are a step beyond matte on the "no shine" scale.

sickora · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2021, 08:36:30 AM »

To balance out the responses, I prefer Matte. Obviously it's all a matter of personal taste, but I like the under-stated, non-shiny aspect of matte. I'm not one for chrome either, so again, I think it is all pesonal preference. I do agree that Matte seems to scuff a little easier (at least on my helmet)

Groover · « **Reply #13 on:** August 22, 2021, 08:44:11 AM »

Matte finish, with a gloss clearcoat - win-win

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2021, 09:07:20 AM »

Quote from: ampm7 on August 21, 2021, 06:13:50 PM

Shiny is best as after time matte lets water intrusion to penetrate the upper layer of paint. This can take quite a bit of time or not much time at all according to where you live and how well your bike is protected. I just like shine...think muscle car as none of those except dragsters are going to be matte...

Why is that? They both have clear coat, just one has gloss while the other has matte. What am I missing?

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2021, 09:09:33 AM »

I prefer gloss and metalflake. I'd rather care for matte or single color gloss.

80CX100 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 22, 2021, 09:19:23 AM »

Quote from: Groover on August 22, 2021, 08:44:11 AM

Matte finish, with a gloss clearcoat - win-win

I wonder if MG is doing something like this now.

To my eye, that beautiful deep blue on the new V7 850s, has a satiny softness to it, but amazing depth.

That magical paint job looks like it's the result of more than just adding different pigments to the mix, idk?

s1120 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 22, 2021, 09:20:37 AM »

OK, so Ill start by saying that as a old car guy, that has built and drove many project cars over the years... And always put all the effort into the drivetrain... Im used to dull, faded, and matte finishes..and Im good with that. But if Im buying something new, or something nice... ya, I want real paint.

Cal3 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 22, 2021, 09:24:54 AM »

Shiny is best.....the flats look nice on a rat bike....

Seventy One · « **Reply #19 on:** August 22, 2021, 09:43:14 AM »

After owning one bike with matte paint, I'll never own another.

Guzzi Gal · « **Reply #20 on:** August 22, 2021, 10:49:12 AM »

Mirror.

Shorty · « **Reply #21 on:** August 22, 2021, 10:55:35 AM »

If a bike is what I call classically styled,( Bonneville, Sportster, Eldorado, FLH, CB750 etc) I prefer shiny paint IF the metal is in good shape and not dinged, fuel stained or corroded. If the bike is in poor nick, matte hides a multitude of sins. Modern insect looking bikes? (Sport bikes, dual sports, touring rigs) Meh. You could gold plate them and they still look like kitchenware.

LongRanger · « **Reply #22 on:** August 22, 2021, 11:19:29 AM »

My bikes? Gloss. My women? Matte.

nwguy · « **Reply #23 on:** August 22, 2021, 11:38:11 AM »

Gloss for me. Have been pondering painting my Honda Reflex scooter. Think I'd do it in bass boat flake if I did. I painted my old Suzuki VX800 with single-stage, PPG polyurethane automotive paint. Came out nice and shiny:

http://nwguy.fun/mc/paint/index.html

Guzzi Gal · « **Reply #24 on:** August 22, 2021, 03:05:45 PM »

Quote from: nwguy on August 22, 2021, 11:38:11 AM

Gloss for me. Have been pondering painting my Honda Reflex scooter. Think I'd do it in bass boat flake if I did. I painted my old Suzuki VX800 with single-stage, PPG polyurethane automotive paint. Came out nice and shiny:

http://nwguy.fun/mc/paint/index.html

Love that color!

Moparnut72 · « **Reply #25 on:** August 22, 2021, 03:29:29 PM »

There were a couple of guys at the Broken Arrow rally polishing their bikes. I told them they weren't Harleys, just ride 'em.

kk

Trialsman · « **Reply #26 on:** August 22, 2021, 04:22:24 PM »

I had an F800GSA that was flat earth. I painted a gloss clear coat and it looked so much better. Fast forward to my new Centenario which is also matte. I am contemplating glossing it as well. Time will tell.

Vagrant · « **Reply #27 on:** August 22, 2021, 04:24:01 PM »

I bet you'd play Hell trying to find a matte ranger bass boat or a Mercedes or Cadillac. Now deep metal flake that's simple to find because they like to sell stuff without discounting it.

stonelover · « **Reply #28 on:** August 22, 2021, 04:39:03 PM »

I like gloss, but my 2016 Stone came in matte. A simple easy wipe down keeps it looking good. Same for the blackened wheels. Less work& more time to ride!

nbags · « **Reply #29 on:** August 22, 2021, 06:07:17 PM »

not a big fan of flat paint looks like clear still needs to be apply

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Author Topic: Matte or Gloss finish: whats your preference (Read 3780 times)