It has a sheen that is produced by a calandered process that improves the hand of the cloth. It is used for making slippery bed linens and sometimes dolls.
I bought some front turn signals for the Gentleman's Express off fleaBay. I thought they were black gloss painted, but I didn't look closely enough at the description. They're black nickel plated. I put them on the bike and sometimes, I really like the look, but sometimes, not so much.
It's hard to find stock type turn signals in gloss black. The MoFoCo wants 53 bucks each for them. I got the black chrome (Nickel) for a lot less than that. And the satin black pieces are just as hard to find as the Gloss Black are. I'm going to leave the shiny black on for now; I have other, more important things that I need to channel my money towards.
I wonder what Satan Black turn signals would look like? I bet they'd look like hell.
I remember when these textile-worshipping cultists defaced a gazebo in Cow Meadow Park years ago. I don't know why they object to satin when polyester is EVIL!!
Crusty, If you're interested, I might have a set of original black satin turn signals that I took off a V-Rod drag bike I put together a few years ago.