These days, owners' manuals are so voluminous that some cars come with two or more -- one for the car and one just for the navigation or audio system. Now Hyundai has a third.
It's only for buyers of the new Veloster Turbo three-door coupe if they order the new matte finish. Basically, the car's finish is like flat wall paint. There's a little bit of a glisten, but it's not the kind of look you would ever want to polish. No matter how hard you try, it won't take a deep shine -- and you'll mess it up in the process.
So Hyundai has printed up an 11-page manual, including an agreement that the customer has to sign in which they acknowledge they are buying a car that has a paint job requiring special treatment.
Like, for instance, you can't take it through an automatic car wash.
The manual warns buyers not to "use wax, detail spray, Armor All, or any products made for normal paint. Use only products specifically developed for matte finish paint." No polishes, cloth or paper towels. Pressure washing is best, but for quick jobs, you can employ only a soft mitt with window cleaner, as long as it doesn't contain ammonia or vinegar.
"Matte finishes are different from other automotive paints. Typical gloss paints use a clear-coat finish that reflects light and gives a shiny appearance. A matte finish uses a different coating that defuses light, providing its unique 'flat' finish," the manual explains.
We think we're starting to understand why matte finishes haven't exactly caught on outside of the customized car crowd.
Source: Hyundai coaches Veloster Turbo buyers on 'flat' paint
