Better Painters defines “flat” as a paint finish with no shine at all. This means the paint does not reflect light, making it a good solution for masking imperfections or irregularities on walls, ceilings, or other surfaces.

Is enamel paint always shiny?

Enamel paint is paint that air-dries to a hard, usually glossy, finish, used for coating surfaces that are outdoors or otherwise subject to hard wear or variations in temperature; it should not be confused with decorated objects in “painted enamel”, where vitreous enamel is applied with brushes and fired in a kiln.

Why does my flat paint look glossy?

The shiny reflective property of a paint’s sheen comes from a reflective particles in the paint. The more layers that are put on, the more light gets reflected back to the viewer.