Clear Protective Coating for Plain Hardware

[Tom Wesenberg]

I was using some Krylon semi-gloss clear as a protectant for plain bolts, and it was perfect, not too shiny and not too flat.

I went to Menards to buy some more, but now I see matte, semi-gloss, and satin. All 3 sound like the same thing to me. Is there a difference?

[Mike V. Florida]

With gloss as the shiniest, semi gloss is next (think nickle plating that needs to be polished), then satin (think butler nickle), then last is matte or flat.