Picking out wheels for a new car or buying aftermarket rims for one you already own?
There’s a good chance you’re asking this question:
“Should I get gloss black wheels or matte black wheels?”
There’s a lot to consider when making this choice, such as aesthetics, ease of maintenance, durability, even resale value. How do you know which option is right for you?
In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of matte black and gloss black wheels, compare the two directly and make some overall recommendations based on what type of car you’re working with.
Matte Black vs. Satin Black Wheels
For the purposes of this article, we’ll consider anything less than a glossy finish “matte”. That means whenever you read the word “matte”, you can also apply the word “satin” or “semi-gloss”. We refer to matte and satin interchangeably because while they have different levels of reflectivity, they both have a textured clear coat that can be altered by abrasion or filling ingredients like wax.
The Pros & Cons of Matte Black vs. Gloss Black Wheels
When comparing matte black wheels with gloss black wheels, it helps to first break things down into pros and cons.
Matte Black Wheels Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Subdued, sporty look | 🚫 Can’t be cleaned or protected with products containing wax or silicone |
| ✅ Hides scratches, brake dust and other contaminants better than glossy | 🚫 Rubbing to remove stains and brake dust can add gloss |
| ✅ Looks better when scratched or scuffed | 🚫 Can’t polish out scratches (polishing adds gloss) |
| ✅ Doesn’t need polishing | 🚫 Too subtle for some people |
Gloss Black Wheels Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Sleek, luxurious look | 🚫 Scratches and contamination show up easily |
| ✅ Scratches can be polished out | 🚫 Difficult to clean without scratching |
| ✅ Compatible with most car care products | 🚫 Too garish for some people |
Comparing Matte Black Wheels and Glossy Black Wheels
Now that we have a handle on the pros and cons of matte black and glossy black wheels, let’s take a look at specific features and compare the two types of wheel paint directly.
1. Durability | Winner: Matte Black Wheels
Matte black wheels are the winner in terms of durability because of how easily gloss black wheels scratch and scuff. While it’s true that matte can’t be polished if it gets scratched, the fact is, it can take the hit a whole lot better than glossy wheels.
2. Ease of Cleaning | Winner: Gloss Black Wheels
Even though matte black wheels hide grime and contamination better, the fact that you can’t use most car wash soaps and cleaning sprays on matte finishes makes glossy black the winner here. That being said, there are cleaning kits available for matte wheels that make cleaning them easier.
3. Appearance | Winner: Matte Black Wheels
This one really comes down to personal preference — so I guess I should weigh in. My tastes prefer the subtle, stealthy look a matte finish affords. While I admit glossy black wheels have an appealingly luxurious glow, I find the understated look to be much cooler.
4. Price | Tie
Matte black wheels and glossy black wheels generally cost the same — price difference typically comes down to factors such as brand, size, material, and design.
That being said, certain high-end matte finishes might carry a slight premium due to specialized manufacturing processes, but this is not universally the case.
Which Should I Choose — Matte Black or Gloss Black Wheels?
Ultimately the choice between matte black and gloss black wheels comes down to your own personal taste. There is no “right” answer. That being said, there are certain types of cars that, overall, could benefit more or less from one or the other. Here are some examples.
Best Cars for Gloss Black Wheels
Overall, the best cars for gloss black wheels are ones that scream “luxury”. That means exotics and showcars.
- Luxury sedans & SUVs
- Exotics and supercars
- Showcars
Best Cars for Matte Black Wheels
On the other hand, matte black tends to go best with cars with a “sports” or “custom” vibe. They’re aftermarket-coded, if you will.
- Racing cars
- “Tuner” cars
- Off-roading vehicles
- “Stealth” builds
- Muscle cars (classic and modern)
Once again, all this is fully subjective. There are plenty of sick track cars out there with glossy black wheels, just as much as there are Lambos with matte black rims. However you get to “cool” is up to you!