Jim,
The original was definitely chalky flat but I am taking this vehicle through 15 countries and you can imagine what the finger marks and oil stains would be like by the time I got to Normandy!
I have always painted my vehicles satin finish (hard surface but with the shine removed) which brings them up with a bit of soapy water and removes oil and hand stains easily (once flat has had oil or even fuel spilt on it that is the end).
Your paint supplier has flattening agent (a clear liquid) which he will put into the paint in any ratio to get everything from a Rolls Royce shine to coloured chalk finish according to your wishes. Batches can be repeated exactly from can to can with liquid but very hard with chalk powder.
All this business about putting talcum into the paint is old hat. Not only is it messy and time consuming it breaks down the structure of the paint and I am told makes it hygroscopic as well so you finish up with the potential for rust. Even a hard rub with a wet cloth takes the top off the "rough" surface leaving your rag marks there forever. I suppose modern paints are so vastly superior to 1940's stuff that show vehicles which weren't going to be continuously used and were parked in covered areas could live with handsful of chalk in the mixture.
I have had great lasting success with well used jeeps by just using cheap gloss car enamel but instead of thinners used petrol. It knocks the shine off and leaves a resilient satin finish.
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