At a glance
Both finishes are StyleLite acrylic-capped ABS, laminated front and back to the substrate with PUR hot-melt. They differ in sheen, hardness and repairability.
| TruGloss | TruMatte | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Smooth, ultra high gloss, mirror-like | Smooth, untextured matte |
| Gloss level (60°) | 90 GU | Under 5 GU |
| Pencil hardness (ASTM D3363) | 4H | 5–6H |
| Fingerprints | — | Fingerprint resistant |
| Repairable | Yes, by polishing | No, replace the panel |
| Sheet thickness | 1.0mm | 0.8mm |
Look and feel
TruGloss is a smooth, ultra high gloss finish with a mirror-like, highly reflective appearance. TruMatte is a smooth, untextured matte finish that is soft to the touch.
Metallic colours are directional. Install all metallic panels with the arrows on the protective film pointing one way, to avoid apparent shade variation.
Hardness and scratch resistance
EGR measures scratch resistance as pencil hardness to ASTM D3363. Graded pencils are pushed across the surface at 45°, and the rating is the hardest pencil that leaves no mark.
On that test TruMatte rates 5–6H and TruGloss 4H, so TruMatte is the harder face. Results are for face materials bonded to MDF with PUR reactive hot-melt.
StyleLite reaches maximum hardness a few days after the protective film comes off. A light polish can speed this up.
Fingerprints and everyday marks
TruMatte is the fingerprint-resistant finish, with very low fingerprinting. TruGloss is highly reflective.
On high gloss, do not over-tighten handles. It can cause an unsightly dip in the surface.
Repairs
TruGloss is a repairable surface. Marks and light scratches can be polished out with a liquid polish suited to acrylic, and low-speed buffing also works.
TruMatte cannot be refinished if damaged, so the panel must be replaced.
Cleaning
Clean both finishes with warm soapy water and a clean microfibre cloth. Diluted dishwashing liquid is an ideal cleaner.
For regular upkeep, EGR's cleaning guides list Novus No. 1, VuPlex or Matte Maxx for TruGloss, and Matte Maxx for TruMatte. Apply the product to a damp cloth, never straight onto the sheet.
Where to use each
Both finishes are for interior vertical surfaces: kitchen and bathroom storage, furniture, wardrobes and feature panels. Neither is for benchtops or outdoor use.
EGR's waterproof StyleLite panels carry a TruMatte face. That is StyleLite Waterproof in Australia and StyleLite MPP in the US.
For curved work, StyleLite acrylic sheet cold-forms to a radius of about 150mm. Tighter radii, down to about 100mm, need moderate to low heat and careful forming.
Questions people ask
Which is more scratch resistant, TruGloss or TruMatte?
TruMatte. It rates 5–6H pencil hardness under ASTM D3363, against 4H for TruGloss.
Which StyleLite finish hides fingerprints?
TruMatte. It is StyleLite's fingerprint-resistant, low-sheen finish.
When does StyleLite reach full hardness?
StyleLite reaches maximum hardness a few days after the protective film is removed. A light polish straight after removing the film speeds this up.
Can TruMatte be polished like TruGloss?
No. The polishing repair method applies only to TruGloss. A damaged TruMatte panel must be replaced.
