“Dullcote” On Screen Used Star Trek TOS Props??

[Captain Dunsel]

I have noted evidence that the Star Trek production team sprayed either a “dullcote” or some other type of clear spray paint over various landing party props.

Here are a few examples where you can see the clear coat, either scraped-away from aluminum or brass parts, or yellowing over time.

On the aluminum parts of the Midgrade Tricorders:

On the barrel of the Hand Lasers:

If this is what we are seeing, I think the explanation is that the shiny metal created “hot spots” under the studio lights, when filming.

I’ve noticed that in the earliest episodes of Season One (“The Man Trap”, “The Enemy Within”, “Mudd’s Women”….) the landing party props are very bright and shiny and sometimes create “hot spots”. Later episodes, that shiny appearance is substantially knocked-down.

Of course…in the Third Season, the thick “gloss coat“ is seen on the Midgrade Phasers…

 

[asalaw]

I have noted evidence that the Star Trek production team sprayed either a “dullcote” or some other type of clear spray paint over various landing party props.

Here are a few examples where you can see the clear coat, either scraped-away from aluminum or brass parts, or yellowing over time.

On the aluminum parts of the Midgrade Tricorders:

View attachment 1920645View attachment 1920646
View attachment 1920647

On the barrel of the Hand Lasers:

View attachment 1920648

If this is what we are seeing, I think the explanation is that the shiny metal created “hot spots” under the studio lights, when filming.

I’ve noticed that in the earliest episodes of Season One (“The Man Trap”, “The Enemy Within”, “Mudd’s Women”….) the landing party props are very bright and shiny and sometimes create “hot spots”. Later episodes, that shiny appearance is substantially knocked-down.

Of course…in the Third Season, the thick “gloss coat“ is seen on the Midgrade Phasers…

View attachment 1920651

Yeah, if that was done on set, and not by subsequent owners of the props, then it was likely dulling spray, which is a quick-drying matte finish. It's commonly done on shiny objects such as props, car bumpers, windshields, and so forth, to kill a hot spot that the camera is seeing. Sometimes you can put up a flag to cut the light or the sun and kill the hotspot, but if things are moving, or the shot is too wide, or if they're in a rush to start rolling, they'll just break out the dulling spray. There's always a can of it on the camera dolly just for that purpose, alongside the gaffer's tape.

Here's a flag on a C-stand:

And here's the dulling spray you get today, which is the same as in the 80s and 90s when I was in the business. Don't know what brand they used in the 60s:

 

[Captain Dunsel]

Yeah, if that was done on set, and not by subsequent owners of the props, then it was likely dulling spray, which is a quick-drying matte finish. It's commonly done on shiny objects such as props, car bumpers, windshields, and so forth, to kill a hot spot that the camera is seeing. Sometimes you can put up a flag to cut the light or the sun and kill the hotspot, but if things are moving, or the shot is too wide, or if they're in a rush to start rolling, they'll just break out the dulling spray. There's always a can of it on the camera dolly just for that purpose, alongside the gaffer's tape.

Here's a flag on a C-stand:

View attachment 1920654


And here's the dulling spray you get today, which is the same as in the 80s and 90s when I was in the business. Don't know what brand they used in the 60s:

View attachment 1920655

Krylon, no doubt…

Evidence suggests that it was applied by the production…

We can actually “see” it, on-screen, on the Hand Lasers in “The Cage” and more than one surviving Tricorder exhibits the “Dullcote” on the aluminum frame.

The Jein Midgrade Tricorder:

The Paul Allen Midgrade Tricorder:

 

[Treadwell]

I'm not 100% on the hand laser, as the brass tube would've gotten a lot of handling during construction alone, causing oxidation and thus dulling, with the moving ring naturally protecting that area from it, in addition to wearing it smooth.

 

[asalaw]

Props are regularly wiped down by the prop master for just that reason. I think there could very well be dulling spray on the laser.

 

[Treadwell]

I agree there could be. Just that to me the photo is not definitive.

 

[Galifreyscall]

Is there any evidence of dulling spray on the communicator midplates? Most photos/caps I've looked through make it hard to determine past the layers of glue residue and hand gunk, but it does look like there's a difference in the finish between the aluminum that protrudes and what's under the shell. Either it's natural handling, or the comms were given a light dusting after assembly?

(credit to herocomm.com for the image)

 

[asalaw]

Is there any evidence of dulling spray on the communicator midplates? Most photos/caps I've looked through make it hard to determine past the layers of glue residue and hand gunk, but it does look like there's a difference in the finish between the aluminum that protrudes and what's under the shell. Either it's natural handling, or the comms were given a light dusting after assembly?
View attachment 1921602
(credit to herocomm.com for the image)

Usually dulling spray is applied on the set. Sometimes by props or someone else in the art department, or sometimes by a grip. It's plausible, but with all that gunk on the aluminum, some of which is glue residue, it's almost impossible to tell.

As I said previously, dulling spray is applied because the camera is catching a hot spot, and it's a quick way of knocking that down.

 

[Galifreyscall]

Usually dulling spray is applied on the set. Sometimes by props or someone else in the art department, or sometimes by a grip. It's plausible, but with all that gunk on the aluminum, some of which is glue residue, it's almost impossible to tell.

As I said previously, dulling spray is applied because the camera is catching a hot spot, and it's a quick way of knocking that down.

Of course, by nature it would be hasty and inconsistent. May also explain why it gathered so much oil and grime if it were frequently handled before drying.

 

[AnubisGuard]

Don't know what brand they used in the 60s:

I've heard they used to use hairspray. Not sure where I picked that up, though.

 

[asalaw]

I've heard they used to use hairspray. Not sure where I picked that up, though.

Well, it's not implausible. They had to use something. I have no idea what they used before the early 80s.

 

[moviebuff5]

I've heard they used to use hairspray. Not sure where I picked that up, though.

That's what they told us to use in school (early 2000s) since it is a fraction of the price of "dulling spray", does the same thing, and is easily available.

 

[Captain Dunsel]

That's what they told us to use in school (early 2000s) since it is a fraction of the price of "dulling spray", does the same thing, and is easily available.

Hairspray that can survive for nearly 60 years on an object??

Wow—the awesome colossal power of Aqua Net was evidently greater than I thought…

How did they ever wash it out of their hair??