I picked up a set of 442 grilles for my 69 Cutlass and they look original and a flat black. I wonder if it is just age and they were originally a semi-gloss black or were a flat black from the factory? I want to freshen them up and do it correct. From what I see in pics the back surface of the headlight bezels are black as well and the other areas silver.
thanks,
Steve

 

I repainted several similar 442 grills and used Krylon 1403 Dull Aluminum and Krylon 8823 Satin Black. The 1403 is generally accepted as a direct match for original, but not sure on the black. I like rhe look FWIW.