Painting skids: flat or semi-gloss

I cannot decide if I should paint my three factory skids flat black or semi gloss. They were rusty pieces of junk when I got the truck and now they are in much better shape. I'm not sure what is the most factory look. Please help me decided.

For comparison: Flat on right, semi-gloss on left. Both are Rust-oleum Protective Enamel spray cans.




I appreciate this communities input!

 

I would do semigloss. Typically the glossier the paint, the more protection it has, (rust or stain wise). Obviously it won't make a difference from scratches though. Also flat has more of a problem with staining from mud. The semigloss finish will tone down from the elements and washes and should look more like the rest of the underside given time. Hope this helps.

 

I've done this many times. Flat looks
Like shit not long after you paint. Semi looks better longer imo.

 

Thanks for the input! My gut was saying semi-gloss, but I always have a fear of making my truck too glossy...I mean it's a truck!

 

I painted mine semi gloss also.

 

I use flat black on the chin plate, I like the subdued look a little better. I was thinking the chin plate was aluminium.

Steve...........

 

Mine are definitely steel. I have a 2006 DCSB TRD OR if that makes a difference.

 

I wanted flat, but the stuff I got was kind of brittle. Then I painted semigloss right over it. It's held up through Moab and a couple of places on my neck of the woods.

 

Paint them with the bed liner product. It will hold up better, and it has a bit of satin look to it.

 

I definitely thought about that, but I already have the semi-gloss and flat.

Maybe next go around.

 

Clearwater Bill

When I read your post it made me remember I did paint mine with some of the rattle can bedliner stuff. On my 97 T100 it is sheet steel but on my 14 DCSB it is definitely aluminium maybe 5/16 thick.

Steve.......

 

I did spray on bed liner. I was in a hurry so it's a little splotchy.

 

Damn it @Clearwater Bill now I'm thinking about going over the semi-gloss with the spray on bedliner. This site is a money pit!

 

Powdercoat it!

 

Thanks to @02YotaGuy, @Clearwater Bill, and @Steve E for pushing me over the edge today and allowing me to convince my girlfriend that we needed bedliner during our trip to Walmart.

 

It does stay on better than paint.

Steve.......

 

And comparatively looks better.