Wrapping a car in satin

In the past, a satin finish could only be achieved by priming a vehicle before painting it. It’s the 21st century, and the satin look is having a moment among car enthusiasts.

Right now, satin and matte vinyl wraps are all the rage, but what’s the difference? What are the best ways to keep your car on trend?

Is there a difference between gloss, satin and matte?

In short, gloss, satin, and matte describe the sheen a vinyl wrap has on the vehicle’s surface. The more sheen the vinyl has, the more it reflects light and appears to shine. Matte vinyl films have very little to no sheen, while gloss vinyl films have the most sheen.

Paints and cast wrap films both benefit from a sheen that indicates stain resistance and ease of maintenance. Compared to satin or matte finishes, glossy finishes are much more stain-resistant. As for cleaning, gloss paint is easier to wipe down and wash than low-gloss paint. Satins may be more stain-resistant and washable than semi-glosses.

In low-sheen vinyl, imperfections are more obvious than in glossy vinyl wraps due to their reflectivity. PVC films with a more sheeny finish are less forgiving than satin-finish PVC films.