Best Dull Coat?

I use the regular Testors Dull-Cote and haven't had any problems with it; gives a nice clean finish.

I havent got a bad finish yet with the same stuff.

I'll agree with that, Testors Dull Coat is definately dead flat. I just put in on in very light "misting" coats, almost spraying around and not on the model.

I used Testors Dull Cote for years with only a couple of problems, but now I have switched to Polly Scale clear flat acrylic. It's the best available IMHO.

Regards, Rick

Couldn't agree more. I used Testors Dull Cote for ages, but have now switched to Polly Scale.

Darren

Have to agree. I used Aeromaster Flat (Pollyscale) and then switched over to Pollyscale flat when my supply ran out.

Awesome paint. I have heard and seen that Gunze Flat is good too, although I have never used this brand.

:cheers:

MikeJ

I haven't used Testors DullCote for over ten years, and even then it was out of the spray can, but I always had consistency problems with it. One can would be dead flat, and the next would be semi-gloss or satiny (yes, I checked the labels to be sure I was using DullCote!). Never any problems with clouding or melting decals, just problems getting the flatness I wanted. I have never tried DullCote through an airbrush, so maybe it's more consistent.

What I use now, however, is Gunze Sangyo's Aqeous Clear Flat. That stuf is dead-as-doornails flaaaaaat every single time I use it, out of a spray can or out of my airbrush. I can't imagine using anything else (although I still want to try Future mixed with a flat base).

If you haven't tried Gunze, you really should give it a shot.

Well it's obvious from this thread that not all dull cotes are created equal. Thats good because sometimes I want just slightly different varieties of "flat".

I read about "Delta Ceramcoat" - "Matte interior varnish" (found at craft stores) on this forum some time back. I got some and have been using it. It's water based and can be brushed on or airbrushed. Very nice stuff. Ends up with a nice matte flat finish that still looks clear and still lets all the detail through. Dries in about 5 minutes. Doesn't produce a faded, milky or out of focus look like Tamiya or Testors sometimes does. Then again, the faded flat is sometimes desired.

Thanks for all the help guys, I'll pick some different things up and try them before I use my MM. Thanks again

I'm with J-Hulk on the Gunze flat.

This stuff kills shine............DEAD!

Karl

I guess I have to go against popularity of everyone elses vote.

I use Krylon Matte Finish 1311 from either an arts & crafts store or Wal-Mart. For a couple of $$ I get 11 ounces and the finish matches the best that Testors DullCote can do. I find the Krylon cans more consistent in quality than Testors.

one question i have is with all these dull coats your talking about, are they all laquer based? I use tamiya, gunze, and polly scale acrylics. If I spray a laquer based dull coat on top of the acrylics, will it screw up the paint job? I'm thinking of using future floor polish mixed with tamiya flat base for a flat coat. Could you give me some suggestions as to what is a good product to use?

Testors Dullcote all the way here, but that's because I'm an enamel/lacquer kinda guy and intensely dislike acrylics.

I've several other flats to use if I want a slight satin finish, but Dullcote is the only flat which gives me a dead-matte finish every time without fail.


Fade to Black...

i have used dullcote w/ decent results,
but usually i use Future & Tamiya Flat Base
i think the recipe i read was 10 parts Future to 3 parts Flat base.
being lazy, i use 3 parts Future to 1 part Flat base.
which would be a hair flatter.
:-)

Can the lacquer be used over acryllic paints?
Steve

QUOTE: Originally posted by st_gorder Can the lacquer be used over acryllic paints? Steve

Yes, if done correctly.
You have to spray several light, mist coats to protect the underlying acrylics.
If you spray a wet coat of lacquer over the acrylic you are asking for trouble.

Mike

Sometimes I use Microscale Micro Flat but mostly Humbrol #49 Matt Clear, because it's dead flat.

QUOTE: Originally posted by roosterfish I guess I have to go against popularity of everyone elses vote. I use Krylon Matte Finish 1311 from either an arts & crafts store or Wal-Mart. For a couple of $$ I get 11 ounces and the finish matches the best that Testors DullCote can do. I find the Krylon cans more consistent in quality than Testors.

I just discovered this stuff at a Michael's last week and so far, I've had great results with it. Like some have said, I was having consistancy problems with the Testors Dull Cote cans. Having tried the Krylon Crystal Clear Gloss cans and having good results with them, I decided to give their 1311 Matte Finish a shot. It worked great! I sprayed it right of the can and it went on as evenly as could be.

Have you tried using this in an airbrush? Since I got such good results the first time, I'm almost tempted to just continue using the rattlecan.

Hi Hawk! I spray Crystal Clear through my airbrush all the time. Just spray some into the jar and fire away. You don't even need to reduce it.

I've never tried the Krylon in an AB. I suppose it would work like bstrump said if you wanted to specifically target certain areas of a model. The ingredient shouldn’t hurt an airbrush at all.