Clear coat question...

[HisBoyElroy]

I've spent the past 4 days removing the awful looking 17 year old wood trim from my dash, center console, and doors on my 1997 SR5. After removing each piece and getting the surface prepped, I applied two coats of primer, sanded with 400, and 3 coats of Rust Oleum Flat black. The results are spectactular.

My question is - I know some folks on this site have painted their dash/trim and finsihed it with a clear coat. The flat black looks awesome to me and I'm wondering if I use a clear coat, will it change the finish? Will it make it look like a semi-gloss or satin?

Please advise. Thanks

 

[kishanSR5]

A clear coat will always help protect it more but in this case since its in the interior I would just leave it be. It depends what kind of clear coat you use for the finish. I know they make a gloss clear and a matte clear in rattle cans but idk about anything in between. But if you are satisfied with the flat black finish you have don't mess with it. Post some pics while your at it so other people can see what it looks like.

 

[Brilliant]

painted mine with a couple light coats of duplicolor trim paint, holding up just fine and cant tell its painted. Clear isnt nessicary imo. Neither is primer if roughed with 800 instead of 400.