Are Matte and Frosted the Same?
2 Answers
Matte and frosted are different. The specific introductions are as follows: 1. Matte: Refers to a surface with very low glossiness. Glossiness refers to the ability of an object's surface to reflect light, which can be relatively measured using a gloss meter. Glossiness is related to the material and roughness of the object's surface. Matte is relative to a flat finish, meaning it is a non-glossy surface. It can avoid light pollution and is relatively easy to maintain. 2. Frosted Finish: Frosting refers to a process that makes a originally smooth surface rough, causing light to scatter diffusely when it hits the surface. In chemistry, frosting involves mechanically or manually grinding glass with abrasives like emery, silicon sand, or pomegranate powder to create a uniformly rough surface. Alternatively, hydrofluoric acid solution can be used to treat surfaces like glass, resulting in frosted glass. Therefore, frosting makes the surface rough, which affects its glossiness. 3. Difference Between Matte and Frosted Glossiness: A matte finish on paint means the surface lacks gloss or, more precisely, has low glossiness. It is generally categorized into glossy matte and frosted matte. The principle behind creating a matte effect is fundamentally the same—diffuse reflection of incident light.
When it comes to matte and sandblasted finishes on cars, I have to say they're not exactly the same. Matte paint has no gloss on the surface, looking low-key and cool, but feels smooth and flat to the touch. Sandblasted finishes, on the other hand, are more like a slightly grainy matte, with a rougher texture and slightly better anti-slip properties, which is common on some modified rims. I've used matte paint on my car, and it doesn't reflect light in the sun, giving it a premium look; I've seen sandblasted cars a few times, and dust tends to stick to them, requiring extra care when washing. In terms of maintenance, neither can use polishing wax—only mild cleaners should be used, or the finish will be ruined. Overall, people often use the terms interchangeably, but in real-world experience, matte tends to be more refined, while sandblasted leans toward practical texture. When buying aftermarket parts, make sure to distinguish between them.
