You already know my opinion, John but I'll add it to the mix. Trucks with cargo beds with a finish that looks more at home on a formal dining room table look ridiculous.

You left your truck's body in its original beat-up condition for a reason. A shiny glossy bed - that never appeared on a truck even when new - will look even more incongruous on your truck.

The satin looks a whole lot better on your truck than the gloss. Since the truck's bed was originally painted black - probably flat - I'd try to recreate that look. The satin varnish with wood peaking through looks sort of close to paint that's been rubbed off over the years.

I'd put a coat of flat varnish on it, though.

1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)

1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)