Best paint for seat frames/interior?

[bowserb61]

I'm getting ready to repaint my seat frames, steering column tube, handbrake lever and shift lever on my '59 beetle, but I'm not really satisfied with the paint options I've found so far.

I did the seats and hand levers about 15 years ago with the WW color matched rattle cans and I was really not happy with the durability. It scratched and wore through on all the touch surfaces in a matter of a couple years.

I've already accepted that we'll never find the L471 Stone Beige formula and that having someone hand match a quality paint is my best option. I took the steering column tube to a local English Color, but the only paint they had available to color match with was a base/clear. I didn't really like this idea beacuse of similar durability concerns. These are all high wear, high contact surfaces and if the clear coat chips I'm going to be left with that "failing clear coat" look all around my interior.

The couple of paint shops that I've talked to that carry single-stage paints only have them in full gloss, which I don't think is appropriate for these interior pieces.

Is there a better option out there that I haven't seen yet?
Am I underestimating one of the options I've already looked at?
Is this just the current state of automotive paints and I just need to suck it up?

Thanks in advance

[67ctbug]

Clear coat would be plenty durable, but I'm surprised that the shops said they couldn't make the single stage flatter. All of the paint companies I know sell a flattener that you add in.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[bowserb61]

There was one place that offered a flattener for their single stage, but minimum quantity was a gallon.
I guess I'll keep calling around.

[esde]

I had some Utech U350 single stage mixed for my interior stuff. It's a single stage, and flattener is available. It's a commercial fleet paint, and tough as nails.
https://www.utech.us/products/colorcoats/u350-single-stage-topcoat
Check the distributors link to see who sells it. I bought a quart of their flattener for my fuel tank paint, and the amount you use depends on how flat you want it. It can be 1:1 for completely flat, with multiple coats needed to cover.
Good luck!
SD
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modok wrote:
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[67ctbug]

[67ctbug]

It was RM I looked at, but this is the gist,
"Satin Gloss
70 parts UNO HD color
30 parts SM09
25 parts DH42, DH44,
DH46
25 parts UR Reducer"
So you could do 80/20 for 80%, 50/50 for 50%, etc.
_________________
'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[bowserb61]

[simon varley]

I got L466 mixed up in acrylic and it certainly came out flat. even with clear over it, it's only semi-gloss

[kaieric]

[VintageVulture]

I've come to the conclusion that interior paint seems like a lower gloss due to the factory (seemingly) spraying paint directly to bare metal. Anyone know for sure? You most definitely can reduce gloss in single stages.
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