Does matte paint really absorb moisture?

[Staffy]

So there's this old wive's tale getting about which I hear all the time that says don't paint your car/bike/lawnmower/toilet roll holder with matte paint as they don't have very good moisture repelling qualities and can in fact absorb moisture. How true is this? Really, isn't matte paint just paint without chemicals which make it glossy? You'd think if the one type of paint in gloss (whether it be rustoleum, tremclad, killrust, rust guard, etc) would have the same water repelling characteristics as matte paint surely right? So is this an old wive's tale or not?

 

[Kong]

If you are shooting a 2 part paint job, base-coat and clear-coat, you use a matt finish clear or you add a dulling agent to the clear. In either case the clear is just as waterproof as any other.

 

[VonYinzer]

Matte paint doesnt absorb moisture. The issue is when people use primer to achive the "hot rod" look because theyre too cheap to buy actual flat paint. Primer absorbs moisture.

 

[CresentSon]

True matte paint does appear to dry faster, I suppose due to the increased surface area of a slightly more textured surface. Might explain the myth. Resists rust just as well though.

I will say that it is a bitch to keep 'black'. Any contact with damn near anything gives it a scuffed appearance. Even skin. Rub your hand across the tank, and it looks like you rubbed baby powder on it.

 

[Staffy]

So shooting the bike or rolling with a good matte black would have the same properties as gloss. Good to know. I had toyed with the idea of going matte on this bike but I don't think I will. It certainly means I don't really have to rule it out in the future though, which is good.