I've considered it, but it's not a show truck, so I'll take the easy way. Plus I think I'll like the look of a flat black hood with the vents
This is one of those easy-actually-harder ways
I've been there a bunch.
Obviously I haven't seen your car, but an acrylic laqour clear coat is likely your friend (gloss or matte). Sand with 2 stages minimum (maybe 400 to blend and 1000 to cover), do the whole hood, wet wipe between (or just wet sand), degrease (dont skip this), then clear spray (rattle can) the whole hood, then polish with cloth and cream if gloss. Thats the minimalist DIY auto paint method I've had success with personally. Thats like $50 all in and actually has a chance of lasting a while. Maybe 3h of work plus some waiting between clear coats. Super worth it. Paint issues can really drag on if you make poor choices... and simple paint cans are nowhere near up to the task of car hoods. Think of the heat, the cold, wind, rain. That has been my experience anyway.