flat w/ clear same as gloss w/clear?

I don't think so, from my experience. Case in point...I sprayed a coat of pre-decal Testors gloss-cote over my AMT M1 Abrams last night, and while it was good enough for decaling, it would have taken a couple more applications to be truly glossy.

However, my CR-5 Corvette which I painted with MM Trainer Yellow (don't laugh, it actually looks pretty good) and then sprayed with the same gloss-cote material is super shiny.

Others may have different experiences, and Future may yield better results than the Testors stuff. I'd see what others have to say, also. Just my $.02.

Depends on how you prepare the surface beforehand and many coats of clear gloss you put on it.

Flat finishes are "Flat" because they are somewhat rough and don't reflect light in the same way a smooth, glossy surface does. In other words, it has pits that diffract the light, and the gloss coat has to fill in those pits before it can truly become smooth and glossy. Your best bet is to smooth the surface before the clear gloss with some wet sanding or smoothing. For some paints I like a plain old coffee filter (my hat's off to whoever it was that originally posted that tidbit here). For harder paints like enamels and most laquers wet sanding, steel wool, or something along those lines will help.

HEY,
Thanks guys. I thought it would be close if i sanded it and stuff, i was just wondering if even though i sand it and all if it would be different.

Randy