Dead-Flat Finishes

Hans von Hammer

Member since
June 2008
From: Iowa

Dead-Flat Finishes

Posted by Hans von Hammer on Saturday, September 20, 2008 12:44 PM

I'm having some issues tryin' to get my figures to have a dead-flat finish. I mean I want it so flat that it has the texture of a matchbook strike-strip... Canned Testor's Dullcoat ain't cuttin' it anymore, it seems that there is no escaping that tiny bit of a sheen... Mebbe they changed th' formula or somethin', I dunno... I'm using other flats and mattes in the varnish world of rattle cans as well... Is the Testor's Dullcoat applied via airbrush a solution? Don't want to buy it if it's gonna look like the rattle-can finish... I DO use clear gloss dabbed on with a brush in some small areas for appying decal rank and unit insignia, and don't have an issue with it differing from the overall look of the final finish, but I still can't deaden the entire thing.. I'm tired of my figures' clothing being shiny..

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DrewH

Member since
May 2003
From: Abbotsford, B.C. Canada

Posted by DrewH on Saturday, September 20, 2008 1:09 PM

Polly Scale flat is one of the best. The ultimate is Floquil 'dust'. It can be found in the rail road section of most hobby shops. Carefull using the dust though, too much and it will fade and whiten the finish. You will have to airbrush it on as it is a hot enamel (no it isn't a laquer despite what you all think, you can cut it with normal mineral spirits!)

Take this plastic and model it!

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ajlafleche

Member since
December 2002
From: Massachusetts

Posted by ajlafleche on Saturday, September 20, 2008 1:17 PM

I get dead falt results with airbrushed Dullcoat. What probably happens with the can is it's not fully mixed from shaking. With the bottle, you can tell when the flattening agent in is full suspension with the carrier.

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

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Hans von Hammer

Member since
June 2008
From: Iowa

Posted by Hans von Hammer on Saturday, September 20, 2008 1:54 PM

I'll give the airbrushed Dullcoat a shot first... Thanks, gents...

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qmiester

Member since
May 2003
From: Central USA

Posted by qmiester on Saturday, September 20, 2008 11:53 PM

If you have a hobby shop near that is heavy into model railroading, see if they have a product by Walther's called DDV - I believe its a varnish but works very well - in fact, it's the deadest, flattest finish I've ever seen.

Quincy

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Sunday, September 21, 2008 2:39 AM

I use Gunze's water-based "Clear Flat," through an airbrush. It is, indeed, dead flat.

~Brian

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J.Warnell

Member since
August 2008
From: Fort Worth, Texas USA

Posted by J.Warnell on Sunday, September 21, 2008 3:36 PM

I have had problems with the rattle cans also, to the point that I will never buy dull coat in a spray can again. I use dull coat spayed with an airbrush, and it works great.

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Hans von Hammer

Member since
June 2008
From: Iowa

Posted by Hans von Hammer on Sunday, September 21, 2008 4:15 PM

Thanks all.... I believe that the airbrushed Testor's Dullcoat is what I'll do... I tried it, and it did indeed go dead-flat through the AB... I'l still use rattle-cans for aircraft and for locking down all the stuff I put on dioramas for grass, covering buildings, etc, but for armor and figures, this is the effect I was looking for at a price I like even better...