What clear flat do you like?

MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

What clear flat do you like?

Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 7:29 PM

I am curious as to what clear flat topcoat you like the best for aircraft?
I am using a bottle of Pactra Acrylic Flat Clear that I have had for years and finally tried it. I really like it and the finish is great.
When it runs out I will have to look for another brand as this Pactra has long been discontinued I believe.
Is the Model Master Acryl any good? Is the Polyscale as good or better than the Acryl?

Thanks

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 7:38 PM

There has been a couple posts on ARC from Gary Wickham, he has some really nice flat finishes, as well as his panel line work. I asked he what he uses, he said that he uses the PollyScale. I picked up a bottle, but have yet to try it out. I mainly use the Future/Tamiya Flat Base combo. I like it because I can custom mix the finish each time, like dialing in the dullness Tongue [:P]

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rjkplasticmod

Member since
February 2003
From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State

Posted by rjkplasticmod on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 8:00 PM

Mike, I used Testors Dullcote for years with good results, but, from posts here on the Forum, recently I have been using Polly Scale acrylic flat with excellent results.

Regards, Rick

RICK

At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 8:30 PM

Thanks Brian and Rick.

I will have to get a bottle sometime and try it.
Does it thin alright with a 50/50 water/isopropyl alcohol mix like I use now?

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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MusicCity

Member since
January 2004
From: USA

Posted by MusicCity on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 8:51 PM

Tamiya XF-21 Flat Base mixed with Future. I like it because I can control the "Flatness" of the finish and I've always got Future around anyway. The only thing I've noticed is that it isn't perfectly clear. The XF-21 has a white haze to it and it can cause the finish to look slightly "Dusty" (hard to explain, look at the pix of my F-105).

Scott Craig -- Nashville, TN -- My Website -- My Models Page

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saltydog

Member since
July 2003
From: Lower Alabama

Posted by saltydog on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 10:20 PM

mike, i use MM acry clear flat for my final coat and have had satisfactory results. later.

Chris

The Origins of Murphy's Law: "In the begginning there was nothing, and it exploded."!!! _________ chris

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 10:46 PM

Thanks Chris.

I guess I will try both the MM Acryl and the Polyscale and see which I prefer.

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 22, 2004 12:59 AM

Hmm am I the only one who uses Humbrol??? It's not acrylic though but it has awesome flatness. Mixed with a touch of thinner its good. You will see very very soon when I post my P-38 how flat it is, laid over Vallejo with a future barrier. The Humbrol tamed it like nothing else.

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KJ200

Member since
July 2003
From: Bicester, England

Posted by KJ200 on Thursday, July 22, 2004 2:01 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by woodbeck3

Hmm am I the only one who uses Humbrol???

Probably.

But then I'm probably the only one using Gunze acrylic flat.

This stuff is really flat, but without any milkiness in the final finish. Looks perfect on 1/72 Luftwaffe AC, as you'll hopefully see soon when I post pics of my Fw 190.

Karl

Currently on the bench: AZ Models 1/72 Mig 17PF

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 22, 2004 2:32 AM

Future and Tamiya Flat Base, mixed in a delicious blend according to the recipe of chef Swanny Big Smile [:D]

...

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rjkplasticmod

Member since
February 2003
From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State

Posted by rjkplasticmod on Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:00 AM

Mike, I don't use acrylics that often so i thin the Polly Scale with their thinner. Kinda expensive if used a lot, but my use is fairly limited. Haven't tried anything else.

Regards, Rick

RICK

At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:41 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by KJ200
But then I'm probably the only one using Gunze acrylic flat.

This stuff is really flat, but without any milkiness in the final finish. Looks perfect on 1/72 Luftwaffe AC, as you'll hopefully see soon when I post pics of my Fw 190.

Karl

Nope, you're not the only one!
I swear by that stuff. You're right: it is dead flat, either from a spray can or an airbrush (I mostly use the airbrush).

Gunze rocks!

~Brian

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 22, 2004 11:01 AM

I use Polly scale to thin my Humbrol flat... works like a charm. I might try Gunze once... as my lhs stocks some of it. But, I already know its not as good as Humbrol Wink [;)]

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F105-Thud

Member since
April 2003
From: Swindon, UK

Posted by F105-Thud on Thursday, July 22, 2004 2:18 PM

I like to use Polyscale flat if I`m painting with Acylics, with a mix of 2 paint to 1 Tamiya or Poly thinner . I also use xtra color or humbrol flat if I paint with enamels (also 2 to 1 ratio using enamel thinners). I have not yet tried Gunze , Aircraft colors or Vallejo flat, but I`ll get around to it one day, as they`re waiting on the shelf.

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ponch

Member since
February 2003

Posted by ponch on Thursday, July 22, 2004 3:47 PM

I have only tried ModelMaster/Testor Dullcote lacquer so far, and have never had any problems with them, and they give a nice flat transparent finish. Since I always seal my decals and weathering with a Future coat, it doesn't matter if I painted the model with acrylics or enamels, the end result is pretty much always the same.

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mass tactical

Member since
February 2003

Posted by mass tactical on Friday, July 23, 2004 9:33 AM

Mike:

I have found an excellent product that is called J.W etc.'s "Right-Step" water base clear varnish. It is available in flat matte, satin and gloss and comes in an 8 oz bottle. The product is labled as non toxic It can be airbrushed straight from the bottle but I usually thin it with a little Liquitex although distilled water will probably work just fine. It dries very quickly. I bought mine at Michael's but I'm sure many art supply stores will carry it. Smile [:)]

Mike M

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Matthew Usher

Moderator

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by Matthew Usher on Friday, July 23, 2004 10:06 AM

I've used Testor Dull Cote for years. I started with the rattle cand and moved to an airbrush later on. I never had any problems.

I just used MM Acryl Clear Flat for the first time, and had great results. It's dead flat, and dried nice and hard. I know some of the acrylic top coats stay a tiny bit sticky, even long after they're applied, but the Acryl was fully cured a couple hours after application.

Matthew Usher @ FSM

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 23, 2004 6:27 PM

Woodbeck, is the Humbrol you're refering to the "Modelcote" stuff in the little 28ml bottle? If so, I can tell you I have also used it and yeah it's pretty good, I like it. I want to try some Polyscale Flat as I really prefer using acrylics and I have read a lot of positive posts about the stuff. I assume that the Polyscale stuff is acrylic?

Cheers.... Snowy.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, July 24, 2004 2:11 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by KJ200

Probably.

But then I'm probably the only one using Gunze acrylic flat.

This stuff is really flat, but without any milkiness in the final finish. Looks perfect on 1/72 Luftwaffe AC, as you'll hopefully see soon when I post pics of my Fw 190.

Karl

beware of Gunze clear on Tamiya paints !

It will dissolve it !
Dead [xx(]

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KJ200

Member since
July 2003
From: Bicester, England

Posted by KJ200 on Saturday, July 24, 2004 7:49 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk

QUOTE: Originally posted by KJ200
But then I'm probably the only one using Gunze acrylic flat.

This stuff is really flat, but without any milkiness in the final finish. Looks perfect on 1/72 Luftwaffe AC, as you'll hopefully see soon when I post pics of my Fw 190.

Karl

Nope, you're not the only one!
I swear by that stuff. You're right: it is dead flat, either from a spray can or an airbrush (I mostly use the airbrush).

Gunze rocks!

It just gives such a perfect finish, but then I've found that with all Gunze paint.

Charger, I've had Gunze clear dissolve Gunze before now. It's just a question of allowing enough curing time in my experience, and I wouldn't mind betting it is the same with Tamiya. I leave everything overnight before hitting it with the clear coats.

Karl

Currently on the bench: AZ Models 1/72 Mig 17PF

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buff

Member since
December 2003
From: Montreal

Posted by buff on Saturday, July 24, 2004 7:07 PM

I have yet to make the Future/Tamiya flat base combo work. I just tried it again on a practice piece, mixed 6 parts Future to 1 part Flat base, and I still got a milky finish. That was with an airbrush. Tried it again with more Future and it still doesn't look right. I've picked up some Polly Scale Flat so I'll try that next. I'll try 2 parts Tamiya thinner to 1 part Polly and hope that it works. It would be nice to find a reliable recipe!

On the bench: 1/32 Spit IXc

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 25, 2004 6:36 AM

I also used Testors Dullcoat for a while, but when I moved my painting inside the house the odor of it was too much for the better half and kids.

So while walking through Michael's of all places. I saw a product by Delta Dreamcoat Matte and Dullcoat finishes ( there is also a gloss finish too, but i am not giving up my Future).

This stuff comes in a 4 or 8 oz bottle. Can be applied with an airbrush or regular brush right out of the bottle with no thinning or mixing needed and dries just as flat as Testors if not flatter than Testors dullcoat.

The biggest factor for me anyways was. This stuff is waterbased, non toxic, dries in 10 minutes and has absolutely no odor at all. In fact on the back of the bottle it states it is for indoor use.

Paul

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mass tactical

Member since
February 2003

Posted by mass tactical on Sunday, July 25, 2004 7:23 AM

Mike:

Try this. Mix 1/3 Elmer's Glue and 2/3 distilled water and airbrush away to a very flat finish which drys very quickly. Clean up with water. This mixture is certainly not orthodox but it works! Big Smile [:D]

Mike M

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Jeeves

Member since
February 2003
From: Saratoga Springs, NY

Posted by Jeeves on Sunday, July 25, 2004 8:49 AM

If you've seen the pics I have posted of my Tuskegee P-39, you've seen the Badger Clear Flat at work... I like it as it really helped the effect of weathering I was trying for...

Mike

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Duke Maddog

Member since
June 2003
From: Rowland Heights, California

Posted by Duke Maddog on Sunday, July 25, 2004 10:42 AM

I have been using the Tamiya Flat Base and Future Mixture without any problems. I mix it 70-30 mixture and get great results.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 25, 2004 1:15 PM

I use Tamiya flat thinnned with Polly scale flo, as seen on my Pudgy I posted last week.

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buff

Member since
December 2003
From: Montreal

Posted by buff on Sunday, July 25, 2004 6:17 PM

QUOTE: So while walking through Michael's of all places. I saw a product by Delta Dreamcoat Matte and Dullcoat finishes

What kind of shop is that? Is it an art supply store?

On the bench: 1/32 Spit IXc

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MikeV

Member since
April 2003
From: Hayward, CA

Posted by MikeV on Sunday, July 25, 2004 6:56 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by buff

QUOTE: So while walking through Michael's of all places. I saw a product by Delta Dreamcoat Matte and Dullcoat finishes

What kind of shop is that? Is it an art supply store?

Buff,

Yes it is a craft/art store. http://www.michaels.com

Mike

“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. " Charles Spurgeon

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buff

Member since
December 2003
From: Montreal

Posted by buff on Sunday, July 25, 2004 8:13 PM

Thanks, Mike.

On the bench: 1/32 Spit IXc

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