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

[AL Farmall Boy]

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?

[outdoors4evr]

The correct police will be along soon to provide proper guidance, but instead of that, I'll give a personal preference!
I would do flat back. These parts are supporting and structural. Save the shine and pretty for the ornamental beauty covers.
The contrast really helps the glossy areas stand out.

[Gary Dotson]

I think semi-gloss will be the most original and look the best.

[AL Farmall Boy]

Thank you guys. Now specifically on the dash aluminum tin piece..........I've seen where people will clean them with fine steel wool and polish, mask off the unpainted areas, paint them, and apply cut out decals for the texted areas. It seems to look pretty good on the picture I saw on the internet, and while I agree with the Semi-Gloss finish for the "black" parts, what about this dash piece? What do you think about doing gloss black on that? Maybe semi-gloss is what I need there too. That is where I need y'all's input.

[ricky racer]

Semi-gloss, hands down....
Gloss black and flat black just look out of place, in my opinion.

[wagonmaster]

Power coating some parts may be Kool. Anybody know how power coating holds up in high ware areas such as on foot treads or high heat areas ? I like stainless fasteners also.

[AL Farmall Boy]

Power coating some parts may be Kool. Anybody know how power coating holds up in high ware areas such as on foot treads or high heat areas ? I like stainless fasteners also.

I agree with you Wagonmaster, but powdercoating isn't as convieient for me and probably not cost effective. If I powdercoated anything it would be the mowing deck and the foot tread pads. Stainless hardware does look good and is best to use in the small hardware or hard to remove hardware AS LONG AS YOU USE ANTI-SEIZE WITH IT.

[AL Farmall Boy]

Semi-gloss, hands down....
Gloss black and flat black just look out of place, in my opinion.

THANK YOU! I agree but wanted to hear of others opinions and experiences. Semi-gloss black with a hardener it is!

[ricky racer]

If you're getting that black stuff all over your hands from your steering wheel, cleaning and painting with semi-gloss paint will eliminate that and it will also look correct!!

[AL Farmall Boy]

That is correct. I’ve painted a few steering wheels and it works! I think I’ll go with semi gloss black for all of it.