Flat Enamel Clear Coat: Does it Exist?

Alclad flat coat.

Hi;

 I switched paints some years back . For clear flat - coat I now use Testors acrylic .Don't get me wrong though . I still don't like acrylics .But , this works for me . T.B.

Never had a problem using lacquer clears over enamels...well...once, I did have a problem.

I use Minwax clear gloss lacquer (thinned 50/50 for airbrushing)...I got a little heavy handed, right off the bat, and the paint crinkled up. Now, I do a couple mist coats, with a few minutes drying time, then spray a couple heavier coats...no issues.

I use Testors clear flat lacquer over enamels, oils and acrylics without any problems.  

I make sure that specially acrylics are dry and have cured before spraying light coats of the flat lacquer which dries very fast.

Thanks for the advice.  I had done a layer of the dullcoat over a Type VIIC Uboat, painted with enamel, but it came out OK.  

Guess I just needed to hear it from the experts.  I'll test it out just to make sure.

Joe

I use enamels exclusively.  I know the old rule about no lacquer over enamel, but Testors lacquer clearcoats work fine- never had a problem.  Don't know why.  They dry super fast- maybe so fast there is no time to eat into the enamel.  Try a test on scrap plastic to assure yourself.

Testors did offer enamel versions a couple of years ago of both Glosscoat and Dullcoat.  But it was not real popular, and is now hard to find. They took quite awhile to dry.

But the lacquer Dullcoat and Glosscoat are both widely available.  Also, Testors offers a semi-gloss clearcoat now, but it is harder to find.

Get the Humbrol stuff in the little tin. Dead flat and it is enamel. The best you can find.

Testors dullcoat never seems to make a dead flat finish, but I usually am not after that. I am not aware of any enamel clear flat coats out there.

For flat clear coats i use the Vallejo matte varnish 70.520. which is acrylic. Use too much and it will frost, and it will not at all protect an enamel base coat from oil washes. So yeah, there is definitely a need for a good clear flat coat out there.

I've just used Alclad aqua gloss and love it. If only applying a few light coats it will not 'gloss' the surface up too much. There may be merit in using the Alclad clear flat coats, even those are laquer based.

Yeah, I have most problems going manufacturer- manufacturer, likeTestors flat or gloss over Humbrol, than I do matching the "so-called" names they use on their products.

It's always a good idea to test, and then go on that. Thats why I keep crap builds around.

I am not sure about a pure enamel flat coat, but it is not true that you can not use lacquer over enamels. I only use enamels and on aircrfat i don't apply a gloss coat, and i use a lacquer flat coat straight onto the enamel paint.