dull coating

Haven't used Humbrol for that but I have sprayed both Testor's Dullcote and Future mixed with Tamiya Matt Finish without any problems.

Is Humbrol an acrylic or a laquer? I'm just guessing but I suspect that if it's an acrylic then you would be OK since they are mostly water based. I would think that a laquer, on the other hand, would dissolve that Sharpie ink in a heartbeat. Just a guess though.

As shermanfreak pointed out, you can try Future mixed with Tamiya Flat Base (X-21, I think). About 4 parts Future to 1 part Flat Base works prett well for me. More Flat Base equals a "Flatter" finish. Less sways the finish toward the "Semi Gloss" side.

I tried the Future /Flat base combination and it didn't work. I ended up with a white film on the wheels. I used about three times as much Future as flat base. I have never used flat base before. Is it supposed to look like a white paste? Any suggestions, please? Thanks

QUOTE: I tried the Future /Flat base combination and it didn't work. I ended up with a white film on the wheels. I used about three times as much Future as flat base. I have never used flat base before. Is it supposed to look like a white paste?

No, Tamiya's flat base is a liquid not a white paste at all. It's basically just colorless flat paint. I mix it about 4:1 (Future:Flat Base) and haven't had it dry white or anything like that, and I use it a lot. Perhaps it will clear up once it completely cures. Sorry you're having problems, I've never had that happen before.

QUOTE: No, Tamiya's flat base is a liquid not a white paste at all. It's basically just colorless flat paint.

It was defintely a bottle of flat base. Maybe a bad bottle. I bought two. I'll check the other. Thanks.

I have two bottles of X-21 Tamiya Flat Base, and both are full of white goo. Could this happen to bottles that had been sitting too long. I only bought them three weeks ago. Does anybody know of an easy way to clean it off? I thought with it being acrylic, I might be able to wash it off with water. If I use thinner, it will ruin the green on the hubs, and I may as well start the painting all over again. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You may have to strip them and start over again man. I've always found that it's harder and more work to try to fix something that I eventually end up starting over on again anyway.

As for the flat base, I have some as well, and it's pretty goopy in my bottle as well. I thought about thinning it some with Tamiya thinner, but didn't do it. I mixed a small amount, a couple of blobs (not anywhere near 3 to 1) in a good puddle of Future and got a nice flat clear coat. Try using some on some scrap, start with a lot of Future and add a little teeney bit of flat base at a time until you see the result you want.

Thanks for the tip. That was the direction I was leaning towards.

XF-21 does have some white "Stuff" in it, I looked at mine and it's the same way. When you said white paste I imagined something like toothpaste, sorry for the confusion.

Windex will strip the Future off, but it may take the acrylic paint as well. Alcohol will probably work as well, but I'm also afraid it will wipe out the acrylic paint.

Buff, I apologize for pointing you in a direction that caused problems. I've used Future and XF-21 a bunch of times and never had problems. If I had thought that it was going to mess up your model I never would have given you that tip.

For dull coating, try Polly Scale Flat. It's an acrylic and works very well.

QUOTE: Buff, I apologize for pointing you in a direction that caused problems. I've used Future and XF-21 a bunch of times and never had problems. If I had thought that it was going to mess up your model I never would have given you that tip.

There is absolutely no need to apologize. I've got a feeling that I used way too much flat clear. I've already repainted the wheels with the base coat. I'll do the black rubber tonight. In the end, it cost me an extra couple of days at most. I really should have tested my mixture on some scrap first. I'll chalk it up to experience. Thanks.