I need a helmet for a trip in a couple of weeks and have pretty much settled on the Bell Pit Boss , my question is how well do the matte finishes hold up vs the gloss ones ?

I'd like to go matte black just not sure how well bugs and other stuff cleans off that finish or how susceptible it is to marring and nicks.

 

I have a matte black HJC 3/4 that stays reasonably clean and is relatively easy to clean. A little Windex, let it soak for a minute and wipe off. Scuffs and marks are easily obtained and show prominently. The matte finish can't be rubbed or buffed to remove marks or scuffs. In fact, any vigorous cleaning will ruin the finish. Don't know that I'd buy another matte helmet even though I like the look.

 

I have always gotten gloss black helmets. No reason...

 

I have FF thats gloss black , cleans easy with soap & water , QC confirms what I was thinking about matte black ....... I like the look too but it doesn't sound like it stays looking good for long.

 

I just ordered the Pit Boss Black/Orange Flame Helmet, I hope it matches my Amber Whiskey paint. Nice style either way you go.

 

I actually prefer the matte finish. Whatever marks do show up I care less about than on a gloss finish, besides, they tend to look like they belong there. The Japanese have a great term for it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wabi-sabi

 

I treat helmets as sacrificial. Gloss of matt they all ship and scratch the same in time. I have got a matt black finish on a helmet and it was going well till I decided to hook it over my bars then try and move the bike. I touched in the chips with a black sharpie, you can hardly see them.

 

Well will see I guess , just ordered the matte black since thats what I really want.

 

I love my matte black helmet, but hate that it shows every fingerprint and can be a pain to clean. The best way is warm water with a touch of soap. Wet a paper towel, let it sit for a few and then use another towel to gently wipe, just be careful you don't use the same side of the towel more than once. Wipe dry with a lint-free cloth and done. I wouldn't use Windex as it has ammonia and can damage the helmet.

 

I had a matte black for years and it started peeling....now it is a gloss black!