Can you put a wrap on top of a satin finish? Will doing so damage it? (It seems like everything you need to do when applying a wrap is the opposite of how you’d want to baby an intentionally “rough” satin finish.) Is there a ceramic type finish to add to a satin? (Factory paint or wrap.) Thanks.

 

DIY Ceramic for Satin/Matte. https://gyeonusa.com/products/q-matte-evo you would not polish, just chemical decontamination and cleaning and degreasing, then coat. You want to avoid polishes/clay/etc.

Alternatively you could have it PPF'd with a matte PPF.

 

I’ve never seen a wrap go over satin, though I’ve seen plenty of satin wraps over a gloss finish. (I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, I’ve just never seen it.) There’s no risk of damaging the paint when applying it and squeezing out air bubbles? I like the look a lot, but I’m concerned about maintaining it. I think I’m in the minority where I like the wing on the Inspiration Series, but I’m trying to figure out if I’d be happy with the paint after a year, two, or five. In my late teens I’d spend four hours every weekend keeping my cars looking like new, but even if I had the time I don’t have the motivation to do so, anymore.

 

That's going to depend on your installer. I would recommend finding a very highly reviewed one in your area, and not using the cheapest one you find.

3M, Suntek, Xpel (stealth) all make PPF specifically to preserve matte/satin finish and not make it glossy. If done correctly the paint underneath should not be damaged.

 

I just used Dr. Beasley's Matte Paint Coating, which is an DIY ceramic coating for matte and satin paint. You can have it professionally ceramic coated as well. Finally, they do have ppf for matte paint cars but the one time I saw one done in person I thought it changed the appearance ever so slightly.

 

If I did it, I’d go to a shop that is way overpriced but does extremely high end cars and I’d trust to do it properly. (I wouldn’t go there for a gloss finish that’s less fragile.) There’s always something around seven figures being worked on, sometimes with a rotary on sixty year old paint, when you stop in.

 

That makes sense given that the surfaces of each are likely a bit different. With gloss, everyone goes smooth at every place possible. I’m trying to decide if the PPF may still be worthwhile for the protection, as I drive my cars like they’re designed to be driven and I’m afraid of debris causing scratches/minor polishing. I don’t know if a ceramic is enough. My friend has a G63 in matte green, and that Mercedes paint is hurting a bit.

 

Ceramic is not enough if you are going to drive hard/fast. It will help with chemical etching from bugs/birds/sap/road tar bonding and UV protection but it is not going to do anything for rock chips or swirl marks.

Being unable to polish out any swirls/scratches on matte paint, I would PPF it tbh. Especially on Lexus' most expensive vehicle in its most expensive trim.

 

For some info, we just had our 24 Inspiration vert paint corrected, Xpel Stealth PPF'd, and will get ceramic outside and on the interior. Going to add tint as well. Before and after PPF look the exact same for the matte satin finish in terms of color and matte finish. Don't trust our roads here with nonstop construction. Both PPF and ceramic come with lifetime warranty. They only ask that we come in once a year to recheck the ceramic and the PPF to make sure it's still good and they will adjust as needed and detail. The company I chose handles a bunch of over 6 figure cars, had great reviews, and is Xpel's regional award winner many years running.


Before Xpel Stealth PPF

After PPF but not fully finished.

 

Out of curiosity, what do they include in a lifetime ceramic warranty? I thought that most coatings are only good for a few years. Do they make you come in for details to keep in good standing? I’ve never heard of such a thing, and I’m guessing if you left the car outdoors for two years without a wash, they probably won’t honor any warranty. (I wouldn’t.)

 

Yes, that's it. Come in yearly to inspect and re-enforce the ceramic where needed and check the PPF. $100 is what was told to me. To be honest, I had never heard of lifetime warranty either on PPF or ceramic and so I talked to them several times on this. But they said if we do this this would extend the life of the PPF and ceramic. For the cost, it's not a big deal in my opinion.

 

Very curious...do you know what they did for this "paint correction?"

To my understanding, you really can't with matte paint because the use of any abrasives will create shiny spots, i.e. you basically polish the matte right out of it and it starts shining which you don't want. Would be very interesting to know what they did or at least what they refer to as "paint correction" for matte paint. As far as I know, that's not really a thing.

 

I'll have to ask but we had our car shipped from the dealer to the PPF place. Arrived with 11 miles and looked good all over so I doubt any paint correction was done or needed.

 

That seems to be the more likely scenario. I would certainly hope they didn't polish the paint and then put the Xpel Stealth on, otherwise you'll be in for a surprise if you ever pull the stealth off LOL!

 

Im 76..lifetime warranties no longer appeal to me.. Enjoy ur car,,UR only young once.