Look through our gallery and you will see satin black again and again: a Huracán Spyder, a GT-R, an M4. It is one of the colours we get asked for most. Here is why, and what to know before you pick it.
What satin actually is
Satin sits between gloss and matte. It has a soft sheen that catches the light along body lines without the mirror reflections of gloss. On a car with strong creases and curves, satin makes the shape stand out, which is why it suits sports cars and supercars so well.
Satin, gloss or matte black?
- Gloss black looks like deep black paint. Stunning when clean, and it shows swirls and dust the most.
- Satin black looks custom and aggressive, shows body lines, and hides fine marks better than gloss.
- Matte black is completely flat. The most dramatic, and the least forgiving of fingerprints and spots.
- Matte metallic black, like on the G-Wagon accents in our gallery, adds a fine sparkle in the sun.
What it pairs with
Satin black works with almost any wheel. Black wheels give a full stealth look, gold or bronze wheels pop against it, and coloured calipers become the accent, like the red calipers on the Huracán. Many customers add a chrome delete and light smoke on the taillights to finish it.
Living with it
Satin is easy to keep looking good if you follow the rules for flat finishes: no wax, no polish, no brush car washes, and spot clean droppings and bugs quickly. Our satin and matte care guide covers it in detail.
Questions we get asked
Is satin black harder to maintain than gloss?
Different rather than harder. It hides fine scratches better than gloss, but it should never be waxed or polished. Wash it with a pH-neutral shampoo and use products made for matte and satin finishes.
Does satin black get hot in the sun?
Dark colours run hotter than light ones in direct sun, wrapped or painted. Parking in the shade helps the film last longer.
Can you wrap just part of the car in satin black?
Yes. Satin black hoods, roofs and accents are popular partial wraps.