Flat clear coat / dullcote question

[thepoynt]

Hey all!

Just wondering if anyone has any favorite flat clear coat for modeling that's actually clear? I'm pretty new to model making, and on my last model I used Testors dullcote with my airbrush and the finish was definitely flat, but also not very clear. Should have seen it coming, what with it being practically white in liquid form... Didn't end up being a big deal on that one, but the model I'm working on now has a lot of black on it, so the clear coat needs to be as clear as possible.

I'm thinking about using some krylon stuff from an aerosol can but using my airbrush to apply it - it's not super flat out of the can, but it's clear and I'm thinking it might end up flatter coming from the airbrush? Maybe? I have no idea?

Any tips would be most welcome! Also sorry if there's already a thread on this, I looked but didn't find one.
Thanks!

 

[TazMan2000]

Rustoleum clear works but may have problems with certain paints. I've had it wrinkle some finishes so it is best to test it first. Also, ifs you lay it on too thick it starts developing a sheen. I've never tried transferring the paint to an airbrush though.

TazMan2000

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

It may be obvious, but you have to make sure to really shake up Testors Dullcote. I've never had a problem with it or Glosscote not being clear.

 

[thepoynt]

It may be obvious, but you have to make sure to really shake up Testors Dullcote. I've never had a problem with it or Glosscote not being clear.

Is it a milky white in the bottle for you? Wondering if mine is old or something...

I've tried both straight out of the bottle, and thinned with paint thinner, but I haven't tried thinning it with laquer thinner, which some people recommend. But both ways I've tried go on translucent.

 

[adphill]

I also use Testors Dullcote with no problems, though I typically use rattle cans for clear coats, so I can't speak to issues airbrushing them.

 

[adphill]

Also, I saved this awhile back from a post on FineScale Modeler - I haven't tried it yet, but it looks potentially promising.

"Mix 1 part Tamiya flat base with 5 parts Future floor polish, then thin that mix 50/50 with isopropyl alcohol (so it's thin enough to airbrush, otherwise it will splatter)This will give you a thin, ultra-flat acrylic clear coat, that doesn't yellow with age, isn't thick and yucky like every lacquer clear coat is, and won't affect the pigments as much as lacquer (although very subtle effects will still probably disappear)


You MUST test this mix before applying it to your model (as you should with any clear coat). If there is too much Tamiya Flat Base in the mix, it will turn white and chalky, and if there's too much Future, it will turn glossy and darken the finish.


The Tamiya Flat Base has no pigment in it - it's simply a mixture that dries so flat it looks white. If you do get too much flat base in the mix and it turns white on your model, just hit it again with a properly mixed overcoat and the white will go away.


The really nice part about doing flat coats this way is that you can control the exact sheen by adding more Flat Base or more Future."

Full discussion here: http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/95195.aspx

 

[thepoynt]

I've now heard several people say they've had no issues with dullcote in aerosol can form - I'm open to that idea, I hadn't even given it any thought since I prefer the nice thin coats you get when you airbrush. But I guess that's less important for clearcoats, once the model is assembled. Maybe I'll just pick up a can and give that a shot.

Thanks for the tips guys!

 

[star-art]

For years I've read that Testors Dullcoat (the old style version that I'm guessing was lacquer) turns yellow over time. These days lacquers seem to be going the way of the dinosaur due to environmental regulations so who knows what they make it out of today. But, be aware that, at least in the past, it's been known for turning yellow with age. This gets even worse if the model is exposed to sunlight.

 

[Scarecrow Joe]

I dont know what you have decided but I was looking for the same thing as you are doing now and decided to use this:

20181101_172659 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

Dries lighting fast, does not attack the plastic, gives a nice dull finish with almost no grain at all, does not react with acrylics, oil base paint or enamels as far as I can tell. Its very resistant and so far havent notice any yellowing. It was the finish of choice for my latest Bandai build:

269A1875-Edit by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

269A1853-Edit-2 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

I think is a great alternative if not better than acrylic based ones which I have found chip easily quite often.

 

[kwisatz]

I dont know what you have decided but I was looking for the same thing as you are doing now and decided to use this:

[url]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1940/43853197860_e195059952_b.jpg[/url]20181101_172659 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

Dries lighting fast, does not attack the plastic, gives a nice dull finish with almost no grain at all, does not react with acrylics, oil base paint or enamels as far as I can tell. Its very resistant and so far havent notice any yellowing. It was the finish of choice for my latest Bandai build:

[url]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1952/44725847995_410ae9c6ca_b.jpg[/url]269A1875-Edit by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

[url]https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1958/44725857285_00cde25b5e_b.jpg[/url]269A1853-Edit-2 by Oscar Baez Soria, on Flickr

I think is a great alternative if not better than acrylic based ones which I have found chip easily quite often.

Hi Oscar. Have you used Testors dullcote before? If so how does this compare. I love duplicolor primer for my models from the auto parts store, would love to find a matte clear I like. I tried Krylon matte once and it just didn't compare to dullcote.

 

[Scarecrow Joe]

I used it years ago. Its a good product of course but pricey for what it is. I honestly think the one I posted its a much better option. Perhaps if you could find it you could compare them and report back? It would be interesting.

 

[kwisatz]

Will try and pick some up soon and do a spoon test with this, dullcote and krylon. I agree love dullcote but way pricey.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Is it a milky white in the bottle for you? Wondering if mine is old or something...

I've tried both straight out of the bottle, and thinned with paint thinner, but I haven't tried thinning it with laquer thinner, which some people recommend. But both ways I've tried go on translucent.

Yeah it's milky because I think the milky ingredient is what dulls the gloss. I'm just guessing because Glosscote is completely clear.

 

[Chrgr440RT]

I just tried the Gunze Sangyo. Its a little pricey, but dang its good.

 

[Scarecrow Joe]

My experience with milky clear coats is that once they dry they become completely clear. The thing is that with acrylic based ones the resistance to even light handling is very weak and chips easily specially over certain plastics like from Bandai. Over regular styrene performs better.

 

[Zombie_61]

I also use Testors Dullcote with no problems, though I typically use rattle cans for clear coats, so I can't speak to issues airbrushing them.

Same here. I've never even held an airbrush, let alone used one, and I've been building models since the late 60s.

I've used Testors' Dullcote in the rattle can for decades and never had a problem, but there are a couple of tips that might help anyone who hasn't used it to achieve better results.

First, warm up the can before you spray. I soak mine in hot tap water for about five minutes. Then shake it really well before you start spraying, and shake it again every 30 to 60 seconds while you're spraying if you're covering a large area.

Second, apply it in several light "misting" coats rather than one or two heavy coats, and keep the can moving; too much at once, or too much in one spot, will result in "cloudy" white areas as it dries/cures. And hold the can no closer to the kit than eight to ten inches while you're spraying.

 

[crowe t]

I just tried the Gunze Sangyo. Its a little pricey, but dang its good.

Is the Gunze Sangyo you tried, called, Mr. Super Clear?