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How do I use Tamiya Flat Base?

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  • Member since
    June 2009
How do I use Tamiya Flat Base?
Posted by Falcon10275 on Monday, April 14, 2014 10:20 AM

I cant seem to get this stuff to work correctly.  I glossed up my F-16 to apply the decals, then glossed again to seal.  Now I have a shiny F-16.   I want to get it back to flat.   So i mixed 2 parts Tamiya clear, with 1 part Tamiya Flat base and 1 part thinner.     Its still makes that white powder finish all over my model and didnt really make it flat?   

Is there a better way to turn a gloss finish flat?

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Monday, April 14, 2014 10:47 AM

Falcon, to get a nice flat finish, get a spray can of Testors Dullcoat. Spray it on in light coats. The finish will be nice and smooth and flat. It's that easy. I've been using it for years with great results.

If you have questions or problems about painting in the future, go to the Painting Forum. You'll get quicker answers and probably a lot more of them. Check out the list of our Forums. Going to the one you need for answers is a lot easier and more people check out the Forums they're interested in.

Hope this helps.

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  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: UK
Posted by Jon_a_its on Monday, April 14, 2014 10:52 AM

The Flat Base is designed to turn Gloss paint... flat.

25% flat base is too much?, ignoring the thinner that's 33%.

Getting clear coats right is definately a 'black-art'

I find 5% - 10% works, depending on the base.  I haven't used Tamiya clear, but have used old-formula Future, mixed in an old 35mm film can, with sealable lid, about 10%  for flat, 5% for satin.

I have also tried other Xtra-acrylix Satin, & that was a disaster, so you are not alone.  

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  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Utereg
Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Monday, April 14, 2014 12:05 PM
I agree, 25% max, excluding thinner. And never just flat base.... I made that mistake the first time.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, April 14, 2014 12:22 PM

I have only recently started using Flat base with future. I didn't want to over do it and only added a few drops to a cup on future and I found that was plenty.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Monday, April 14, 2014 12:43 PM

Just to create a flat finish, I would go with some other waterbased product - like Microscale, Pollyscale, or Vallejo. I've used all 3 and they work well, use them just like any paint, no need to mess around with getting the right ratio.

  • Member since
    June 2013
Posted by RobGroot4 on Friday, April 18, 2014 7:35 PM

If you want an acrylic, Model Master has an acrylic gloss, semi-gloss, and flat.  I mixed it 50/50 with Tamiya thinner and it went on with no problems.  The bottles have white labels and are a little larger than the standard model master size.

Groot

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  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Friday, April 18, 2014 8:26 PM

RobGroot4

If you want an acrylic, Model Master has an acrylic gloss, semi-gloss, and flat.  I mixed it 50/50 with Tamiya thinner and it went on with no problems.  The bottles have white labels and are a little larger than the standard model master size.

Groot

 

Ditto I also use MM mixed about 50/50 and no problems at all. Light coats are best.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Saturday, April 19, 2014 10:00 AM

Bish

I have a bottle of the Tamiya flat but have not used it. So about 10% -15% to Future ratio will give a dead flat finish?

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by ajlafleche on Saturday, April 19, 2014 11:13 AM

plasticjunkie

Bish

I have a bottle of the Tamiya flat but have not used it. So about 10% -15% to Future ratio will give a dead flat finish?

Why bother with ratios and praying for good luck? Toss the flat base and get some one step flat finishing product, Dullcoat, or the acrylics mentioned above.

I've never understood the fascination with using this Censored product. It's very existence makes no sense. Turn a gloss paint flat so you can make it glossy again to apply decals then mix up a devil's brew of flat base and floor polish to bring it, hopefully, back to a flat without ruining the decals with a film of white chalk.

K.I.S.S. This is one of the few things I learned in my brief insurance man career several decades ago. 

Equally problematic were the English directions Tamiya used to provide...exactly the same as with their regular paint. Apply, let dry 15 minutes before applying another coat. 

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  • Member since
    August 2012
  • From: Parker City, IN.
Posted by Rambo on Saturday, April 19, 2014 2:42 PM

When I hand brush figures I put a drop of the stuff in whit val paints to keep from getting shinny spots from to many brush strokes.

Clint

  • Member since
    January 2014
Posted by Silver on Saturday, April 19, 2014 4:36 PM
Use ACE brand non spar varnish.Or any brand of non spar varnish flat.
  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Saturday, April 19, 2014 6:51 PM

I've yet to find anything that works better for me than Alclad's matte coats, specifically 312 and 314.

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Sunday, April 20, 2014 12:20 PM

ajlafleche

Why bother with ratios and praying for good luck? Toss the flat base and get some one step flat finishing product, Dullcoat, or the acrylics mentioned above.

 

I guess you missed my post stating that I use MM flat acrylic. I also use MM flat lacquer. I'm merely asking about the Tamiya ratios because I have a bottle and have never tried it. I like to try different products to see which one works best.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    January 2014
Posted by Silver on Saturday, April 26, 2014 8:28 PM
I also agree by using Alclads flat base because it dries fast.
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