The Beginner’s Guide to BMW Frozen Paint Care

BMW’s Frozen paint finishes are some of the most popular factory matte finishes in the car world. Part of BMW’s “Individual” customization program, BMW’s Frozen paints deliver a distinctive matte look that stands out in a sea of gloss. 

The only catch? You can’t polish a matte finish or use any product that adds gloss. This means most car wash soaps and every wax. 

So how do you go about maintaining a beautiful Frozen finish? We’ve got the answers. Our company, Dr. Beasley’s, has been making care products for matte finishes since 2011 and have partnerships with companies like Hyundai to provide them for their customers.

In this article, we’ll give you a COMPLETE care guide for maintaining BMW’s Frozen finishes, including do’s, don’ts, and best practices. Let’s dig in!

What Makes BMW’s Frozen Paint Different

Conventional glossy paint has a mirror-like appearance because it’s smooth and flat, reflecting light directly into your eye. 

Matte finishes like BMW’s Frozen paint, however, produce a diffused sheen instead of a full-on reflection. This is because of the clear coat’s microtexture, which scatters light instead of reflecting it like a smooth surface would. 

This means you need to maintain the clear coat’s microtexture in order to keep the matte look. Products for glossy paint are designed to fill defects and smooth out the finish — if you do that to a matte finish, you flatten the texture and create a gloss. 

For this reason, you need to be sure you’re cleaning and protecting with products that don’t contain filling ingredients like silicone or wax while also being sure to never rub or polish the paint, which sands down the texture. 

Do’s for Maintaining BMW’s Frozen Finishes

1. DO Use Matte-Specific Products
   Always use soaps and detail sprays formulated for matte finishes. Regular car soaps may leave wax residues or shine-enhancing agents that fill the paint’s texture and create gloss.
   • Example: BMW-approved matte-safe cleaners or products like Dr. Beasley’s Matte Body Wash.
   • Frequency: Wash twice a month or as needed. 
2. DO Hand Wash Only
   Hand washing reduces the chance of scratching. Use the two-bucket method—one for clean soapy water, one with a Grit Guard for rinsing your mitt—to keep contaminants from reapplying to the surface.
3. DO Spot-Treat Contaminants Immediately
   Bird droppings, tree sap, and water spots can stubbornly stain Frozen finishes if left unattended, and you want to avoid having to rub the paint to remove. Keep a matte detail spray and a microfiber cloth on hand to quickly address these issues before they bond with the paint.
4. DO Protect the Paint Immediately
   While you can’t protect a matte finish with wax, there are ceramic coatings designed for matte that protect against UV rays, contaminants, and road salts without adding unwanted shine. They make cleaning a lot easier so you don’t have to get aggressive rubbing with a microfiber towel to get bonded contaminants off the paint. 

Don’ts: What to Avoid

1. DON’T Use Waxes or Polishes
   Waxes, polishes, and any gloss-enhancing products will ruin the matte texture by creating shiny spots that cannot be corrected. Avoid using them entirely.
2. DON’T Use Clay Bars
   Clay bars are great for decontaminating glossy finishes but you should never use one on a matte finish. Clay bars are abrasive and inflict scratches. Normally you polish them out with a glossy finish, but on a matte finish you’re just left with a bunch of scratches that you can’t get out.
3. DON’T Use Automatic Car Washes
   The brushes and rollers in automatic car washes can cause micro-scratches and streaking. They also use soap full of harsh acidic cleaners and gloss-enhancing wax. Stick to hand washing. 
4. DON’T Use Dish Soap and Household Cleaners
   Dish soap is too harsh and strips protective coatings from the surface. Use only matte-specific car washes.

Recommended Cleaning Routine

1. Pre-Wash
   Rinse, add foam, let sit, then rinse again.This helps remove loose dirt and reduce the risk of scratches during washing.
2. Main Wash
   Using soft wash mitts, agitate the suds to remove dirt and grime that didn’t come off in the pre-wash. Use a rinse bucket lined with a Grit Guard to remove contaminants from your mitts between panels. 
3. Dry with Soft Microfiber Towels or Blower
   After rinsing, use soft microfiber towels to dry the paint. To ensure total scratch prevention, blow the water off using a blower. 
4. Spot Cleaning
   Use a matte stain remover for any stubborn stains or contaminants found after washing.

Handling Scratches and Minor Damage

Frozen finishes are more challenging to repair because buffing and polishing are not options. If you notice small scuffs:

• Use BMW’s Frozen touch-up paint kits for minor imperfections.
• For more significant damage, consult a BMW-certified body shop experienced with matte paint repair.

Environmental Protection Tip

1. Sun Exposure
   UV rays can fade the paint over time. When possible, park in shaded areas or use a car cover to protect your finish.
2. Winter Conditions
   Road salt and de-icing agents can harm the paint if left unchecked. Rinse your car regularly during winter to prevent buildup.

BMW’s Frozen finishes bring a unique, luxurious touch to their vehicles, but maintaining them does require you to be proactive with cleaning and protection — whether it’s DIY or by a trained detailing professional. Whatever you choose, with regular washing, prompt spot-treating, and proper protection, you can preserve the look of your BMW’s Frozen paint for years