Does clear coat give touchups the matching color?

[corvetteman]

I have some touchups that seal but the black is flat looking. Is it the addition of clear coat that makes the paint shiny?

 

[Bill D]

Yes and no. The base can have a certain degree of gloss and adding clear will make it glossier or a flat black left alone will look flat but it can be glossed up with the addition of clear.On the black vehicles I've touched up, the black touch up paint ( small tube with paint brush built into cap) alone was glossy but certainly certain brands and models have flatter looks.

 

[corvetteman]

Yes and no. The base can have a certain degree of gloss and adding clear will make it glossier or a flat black left alone will look flat but it can be glossed up with the addition of clear.On the black vehicles I've touched up, the black touch up paint ( small tube with paint brush built into cap) alone was glossy but certainly certain brands and models have flatter looks.

On my car the places I have used touchup seem much flatter in color than the rest of the hood. I bought OEM touchup. I dont know if it had clear coat mixed in. Is there clear coat touch-up? Is it worth trying to cover the touchups with clear coat? While not an eye sore to most folks from 3 feet away I see them from 2 feet away. I plan to get the hood repainted down the road but for now I'd still like to improve it.