Testors Dullcote price going through the roof?

rray Oct 10, 2020

  1. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    My local Hobby Town has been out of Dullcote for months now, Michaels is out of stock too, so I went online and the $5 three ounce spray cans are now in the $17 range on ebay, and $10-13 on Amazon!

    I suspect it may be a discontinued product. I have always liked Dullcote as the first step treatment for all my rolling stock, and for weathering black tank cars and structure roofs by misting alcohol on after dullcoating.

    I hope that it's not the end of Dullcote, anyone know?
     
  2. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I don't know but I remember when it was, what, a buck twenty nine a can. I also liked its original smell. I remember spraying many structures and cars with it in the late sixties/early seventies. It was also easy to remove with alcohol without damaging the paint on my original Atlas A1G cars when I wanted to restore them.

    Doug
     
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  3. Mike VE2TRV

    Mike VE2TRV TrainBoard Member

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    I started having trouble with availability a few years ago already. The LHS's both in Montreal and in Laval are out of stock more often than not.

    One explanation I heard was that as soon as a shipment came in, someone came to the shop and bought the whole lot before anyone had a chance to get a can for themselves. This was pre-toilet paper hoarding days, so it's not the mexican beer virus. It's either vulgar selfishness or someone's reselling them to make big bucks for themselves (easy - create an artificial shortage and then charge an arm and a leg for it, say... on fleabay?).

    I prefer Dullcote too - good coverage, no spatter (unless the nozzle is semi-clogged) and dries enough to handle in just a few minutes. Others have spatter problems or take way too long to dry.
     
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  4. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    A lot of other things have goon that way as of late. Bicycles and motorcycle parts are getting harder to find and have a lot more value. :eek:
     
  5. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    I haven't seen a can of Dull Coat in a LHS or other places that sell Testors stuff in so long that I figured it went away with Floquil. I miss it but have been okay with some of the non MRR flat clear coats out there.
     
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  6. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    A quick search shows that the spray bombs are quite pricey but the airbrush bottle is still fairly cheap. I wonder if hobby lobby has better prices in store?

    I have both the airbrush and spray bombs, the airbrush stuff lasts longer but the spray bombs sure are handy !

    Randy
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2020
  7. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    Unfortunately most such shops have closed in Wisconsin.
     
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  8. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Dullcoat and Glosscoat are made by Testors (which is owned by Rust-Oleum), which earlier this year made the stupid decision to end production of their Model Master, Pactra and Aztek paints. There's been no announcement about Dullcoat and Glosscoat, but it appears that Testors is managed by people who's best idea is retrenchment. You'd think that Dullcoat and Glosscoat would be seen as universally useful to all model builders, but who knows what they're thinking these days.
     
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  9. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    I broke down and ordered the 4 can for $35 deal on Amazon, because I am tired of running out to get some and not finding any. The gas cost of driving around is adding up, and sadly, the only reason I go to Hobby Town anymore is for Roadbed Cork, Paints, and Woodland Scenics stuff. I think I am finally going to call LHS shopping quits, and become an online only bulk deal shopper.
     
  10. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I went looking for a tool to fit my Dremel and trailer wires. At the big farming supply store I saw the display for Testors little spray paints and there was a can of Dull Coat along with others. They were advertised at $2 but I don't need any. The display was a jumbled mess so it will probably disappear soon.
     
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  11. dti406

    dti406 TrainBoard Member

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    I still get the bottles of dull and gloss coat at my LHS and spray with my airbrush. Price has gone up a little, but it seems that all paint went up recently.

    Rick Jesionowski
     
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  12. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    Here in Minnesota, too. The "LHS" is now a two-hour-drive, one way.

    Doug
     
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  13. f2shooter

    f2shooter TrainBoard Member

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    It’s an hour one way now for me to get to the lhs but I’ve noticed Hobby Lobby sells a modest variety of modeling supplies. If it gets stupid high there’s alway rattlecan clear at Ace Hardware, I’ve had good results using that on some G gauge stock.

    Rick H.
     
  14. BadOrder

    BadOrder New Member

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  15. Mike VE2TRV

    Mike VE2TRV TrainBoard Member

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    I'll keep that one in mind.

    Thanks for the tip!:)
     
  16. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I have recently used the Rust-Oleum and it worked fine. Also bought it at the big supply store.
     
  17. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    It's because of Rust-Oleum we lost the Testors line. I would look for a Krylon product. I will deliberately avoid Rust-Oleum products.
     
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  18. BadOrder

    BadOrder New Member

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    I really was stumped at what kind of reply if any was needed, but in the interests of finding a replacement for Dullcoat and relief for my wallet, I decided to " crack on ".

    I have no clue how much " Testors " paints made up RustOleums sales but looking at hobby enthusist versus the DIY'ers purchasing at stores like WalMart, I feel confident is guessing that the results would be minute decimal points on a single percentage point. Getting mad or refusing to purchase a product because of a business decision that is dominated by the cash flow market might be a little hasty. They have provided a replacement, and at $7 for 11 ounces versus $6 for 3 ounces ( 70 cents versus $2 per ounce), it looks like RustOleum may be helping more than hindering. Below you will find two test panels. Both are sprayed with wet coats, one of Testors " Dullcoat " and the other with RustOleum's " Chalked Matte Clear ". Take a guess, either L or R as to which is which. Each have their own peculiarities. Dullcoat sprays finer but smells much heavier in chemicals and VOC where as Chalked has a heavier spray pattern and you have to adjust accordingly but doesn't smell as bad.


    dullcaot vs chalked clear test panel labeled.png
     

    Attached Files:

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  19. rch

    rch TrainBoard Member

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    Krylon 1311 matte clear is a good alternative for dullcote. I've used Tamiya TS80 for years but it's expensive. I tried Krylon 1311 on a recommendation and I've been satisfied with it. Big can, smooth finish, good value and readily available.
     
  20. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I looked at spray cans this morning. Did not see anything in stock at my store, which I might try from the Krylon brand. So picked up one of the Chalked Clear to try.
     
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