Flat, Semi, or Gloss Black on a Cub Cadet 1450 Resto. ?
 

I am in the middle of restoring a Cub Cadet 1450 Quietline and am planning the painting stages and colors of each part. I am trying to determine which type of black will look the best on all parts to give the best "clean" appearance. I will be mixing the paint with a hardener (I have proper PPE) and a reducer, so this is not rattle can. I have been searching for pictures to compare but I really haven't found much.

(1)
So far I have the following list of parts to be painted black. Please let me know if something has been omitted or if there is a part you think would look better black. I realize they painted them all together at the factory, and I want to clean the look up a little and be more detailed.

• Gas Tank Brackets
• Muffler Box
• Engine
• Foot Tread Pads
• Aluminum Dash Tin (cut & apply decals to lettered areas and mask unpainted aluminum areas)
• Upper & Lower Grille Screens
• Rear of Seat Pan
• Hood Hinge
• Drive Shaft

(2)
Also, either on each part or overall together; which shade of black do you think will look the best? Flat Black, Semi-gloss Black, or Gloss Black?
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I used "Satin" black on my 1450.

Is that more of a semi-gloss? Do you have any pictures of the various parts you could share?

Yes, Satin is like a semi-gloss. Tractor tucked away for the winter. Won't dig it out now until April.

I think I will go with a Semi-gloss black on all parts to be painted black.

The big question is......what about that aluminum dash tin? I want to restore it similar to others where they polish, mask, paint, and apply decals to the lettered areas. Should I go with Semi-gloss black on that or gloss black?

I just want it to "pop" and look as nice as possible since I'm going to the trouble anyways.