I am painting my engine compartment black. do I use flat semi gloss or gloss black. thanks for your input.

 

I would use a flat black, it doesnt show the flaws as easily (ie dust in the paint, deformities in the metal like the strut towers etc.)

 

I would use a semi-gloss black or satin black. If you use flat black, especially in the engine compartment, every time your greasy finger touches the paint after working on the car, youll see it from a mile away. With flat paint you really cant wipe the grease awya, but with a semi gloss or satin you can at least hide it. Also if you have imperfections in your metalwork, spatter paint works pretty good. Fools the eye.

 

cool thanks guys

 

x2, I did under my hood and the inner lips of my fenders in semi gloss, looks really good besides the above poster's comments on function.

 

I went with a high gloss paint from a paint gun. Thinking about going with a semi-gloss or flat black spray paint now. Just so that I can easily re-spray an area that has a scratch. It is nice being somewhat chemical resistant though with this better kind of paint.