I've got some steel parts that I need to paint. I need the finish to be sort of a cross between flat and gloss. The flat seems to soak up every fingerprint and speck of dirt, but I don't want the parts to be glossy either. If this were interior latex paint, I believe the term would be "eggshell". Is there an equivalent in the automotive world? It needs to seal against weather and water and maintain a "semigloss" appearance.

Some paint manufacturers make a semi-gloss clear that is just as durable as regular clear(Standox).
Others make a flattening agent that you mix with the clear to kill the gloss.They usually have a chart that will tell you how much flattener to add to get a desired gloss but you might have to experiment a little. Mike

Cool,

I'll look into that. The "flattening agent" sounds like just the key. That way I could dial in exactly what I need.

Am not sure what system you are using and I didnt hear you mention one but anyway PPG makes a preflattened clear number 2060. Has roughy a 5% gloss, you can increase the gloss level by adding regular clear to the mix.

One Dupont chromapremier Single Stage if yu want a 50% gloss level you add 30% flattener. For 5% gloss add 50% flattener. Flattener number is 4531S

If you go the PPG route other then the 2060 clear its a tad more difficult then Dupont's system. So I posted a link for ya from a past topic smile.gif
http://www.chevelles.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=008309