Flat Finishes on Die Cast shiny models

I’m writing this to get knowledge that this group in tons. I’m new, so some of these questions, I’ll be asking may sound overly amateurish, but I want to do the best that I can for these amazing models. This past Christmas I received two well detailed Die Cast Models. One was an F-4 Wild Weasel made by made by Hobby Master, and the other was an SR-71 Rapid Rabbit from Kadena, made by Century Wings. My wife thought since I worked with both of these aircraft, these would make excellent reminders of when I was stationed at Kadena. I love both of these models, but, none of the aircraft in reality were glossy/shiny. The question is, if I was to try to lightly spray a dulling flattener like Mr Hobby Super Clear Matt or Dull-coat, how much damage can I expect to happen to the finishes and most of all the decals on these two models. Can the hard finishes and decals of the die-cast planes survive or is there a prep that would allow the dulling to happen. Or should I just leave well enough alone. Dulling the shiny finishes would add so much to the actual realism. What Do you Think?

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Try to find an acrylic clear,they are more friendly to basecoats

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And mask the clear parts off.

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Definitely mask off the cockpit glass.
If you are airbrushing the clear coat you can mix the gloss/flat to whatever sheen you are looking for.
If you are using a rattle can … I believe there is a semi-gloss avaliable.
Enamel or lacquer will both work but the lacquer based clear coats dry a lot faster.