Melawood® SupaMatt™: stylish finish, leading surface technology

Matt-finish cabinetry, with its sophisticated look, is a trend that has been gaining in popularity. In fact, matt is so fashionable that even appliance, hardware and plumbing fitting manufacturers are getting in on the trend, with matt-look fridges, dishwashers, taps, handles and even sinks now available. The beauty of matt cupboards is that they pair well with textured or gloss finishes too, making them a versatile option. But they can be prone to showing smears or fingerprints easily. This is not the case with PG Bison’s MelaWood® SupaMatt™, which incorporates leading technology which reduces the visibility of day-to-day finger marks.

Designing products to reduce visibility of finger marks

We learn from a young age that our fingerprints are unique – nobody in the world has the same fingerprint as you. That’s why fingerprinting can be used as an identifying marker. What many people don’t know is fingerprint composition also differs depending on age, gender, and diet, amongst others. Two individuals can touch the same surface, with the one’s finger leaving a mark, while the other’s finger may not. This makes producing a surface that never shows fingerprints technically challenging. Although various materials have been engineered to help reduce the visibility of fingerprints, they will not take them away completely. That’s because there will always be a transfer of oils from your fingertips to the material surface.

The micro-structures on the surface of MelaWood® SupaMatt™ are designed to minimise contact with your fingerprints, so that they don’t show up as easily as they would on other matt surfaces. These structures give MelaWood® SupaMatt™ its extremely low reflective surface, creating a luxurious ultra-matt experience, for use in vertical applications. This does not mean it’s not possible to leave a fingerprint on MelaWood® SupaMatt™. As an example, if you have handled something oily, like certain foods, your fingers have an increased oily residue on them, and touching the board’s surface will result in you being able to see fingerprints as a result of transferring oil from your fingers to the board’s surface. MelaWood® SupaMatt™ is designed to reduce the visibility of finger marks during normal, day-to-day touching and has been shown to do so very well compared with other matt products available on the market.

Keeping your SupaMatt™ surfaces in tip-top condition

If you have touched the board with oily hands or you are dealing with a stubborn mark on your MelaWood® SupaMatt™ cabinet doors, it’s important to follow proper cleaning protocols to remove the stain without damaging the surface. Here are some tips to assist:

Installation

• Utmost care should still be taken when handling, machining and installing the product so as not to damage the surface.
• Always keep the protective film in place until installation is completed and all other service providers have finished their projects.
• The protective film should be removed within six months of completion of the job to avoid it ageing and becoming difficult to remove.
• Any spilt chemicals and liquids that can cause stains must be wiped away immediately, using a damp cloth and soapy solution. Repeat the process, as necessary.

Daily cleaning

• For daily wiping down, always use a well rung out, damp, soft, lint-free cloth with clean water.
• For removing daily grime, always use a well rung out, damp, soft, lint-free cloth with a mild soap and water solution.
• For more stubborn marks or to remove drying marks, always use a well rung out, damp, soft, lint-free cloth with a 1-part name brand window-cleaner to 1-part water dilution.
• Do not overly wet the surface and always take care to prevent any moisture from penetrating any unprotected or exposed edges.

Things to avoid

• Never use any of the following cleaning agents on the matt surface:
• Abrasive cloths, scrubbing brushes, scrapers, scouring pads, steel wool or any other abrasive tool or material on the matt surface
• Scouring and abrasive agents such as abrasive powders
• Polish with abrasive compounds, washing powder, furniture cleaner and bleach
• Detergents with strong acids and acidic salts
• Steam cleaning equipment
• Solvents

You can also find these details and more, by downloading the MelaWood® SupaMatt™ Care Guide here.