As the title suggests, I have an older Leupold 6x compact. It has a gloss finish, and I was wondering if you can knock the shine off with steel wool, or something similar.
Anyone tried it?

If the finish is already messed up; just paint it with a flat black spray paint.

The finish is in very good shape, just that the gloss doesn't fit with the cerakote on the rifle I want to put it on.
Such a light, handy scope...

Have you looked into the air-dry Creakote for the scope?

No, I hadn't. will give it a look. Thanks.

http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/finishes/#

Click on "High Temp Firearm Coating" and you'll see the C series air dry selection for optics, etc.

Wonder what effect a Mr Clean Magic Eraser would have? They work great for knocking down gloss on other surfaces, specifically stocks, but have not tried on a scope's factory finish.

Coatings definitely work on about anything, but not the lens variety lol... These are Duracoated which doesn't spec abrasive blasting as a necessary step. Top one was satin silver, middle Meopta's matte black, and the bottom one was Leupold's matte black. I cut out discs of paperboard to fit snuggly, blocking the glass and carefully mask other stuff. It doesn't take much of a gap for spray to get to the lens... Generally don't coat the rubber, such as o-rings, or the protective ring at the eyepiece if present. Actually that's a good spot to mask then stand it up on end when spraying. Or can hang by a loop of string under a turret cap... Rattle can will work too, but goes on thicker than ideal in my experience.

I rattle canned one years ago and it stood up surprisingly well. That was with Rustoleum flat black.
This is probably a better option. http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...rosol-paints/aluma-hyde-ii-prod1117.aspx
Just put grease on anything you want to mask.

I had a Vari-X II cerekoted in flat black and it turned out very nice. We used the air dry.....zero problems.

That black anodize is pretty dang hard stuff. Steel wool is going to make the gloss shine look fogged. I suppose if you're going to paint it anyway you could try the wool first. Might make the paint adhere better. Paint is great though because if you do scratch something you can just paint over it. Love the grease idea for masking. Gonna have to try that. Saw some jobs where guys lay ferns and leaves on top as they switch colors. Comes out really nice if you want a camo look.