Clear coat, what are you guys using?

Ghengis Kong Mar 18, 2015

  1. Ghengis Kong

    Ghengis Kong TrainBoard Member

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    I've been using the Testor's spray cans of gloss and dull, but I don't like the application of it as it splatters. What is better? Anything in liquid form to use in my airbrush?
     
  2. bill pearce

    bill pearce TrainBoard Member

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    Same stuff, only from a bottle shot from an airbrush. I have no special feeling on gloss, but I've never found anything that gives the best matte finish as Dullcote.
     
  3. jpwisc

    jpwisc TrainBoard Member

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    I use the spray cans of Testors Glosscote and Dullcote, they work great, you just have to keep the cans at 70 degrees or better and spray a solid coat on.
     
  4. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Dito what Karl said, the rattle cans are what I've always used and I love the results. I will set the can in a dish of hot tap water for about 5 minutes before use, though; I read once long ago that this helps the paint come out in a finer spray and acheive better results.
     
  5. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Testor's gloss and dull coat. Thorough mixing, not being too close to object, and moving quickly to prevent excessive build up. Also not spraying at temps below 70 deg. F Also after each use inverting can to clear nozzle which just gives a clearing burst of propellant with no liquid so no clog or build up.
     
  6. cf7

    cf7 TrainBoard Member

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    I use Testor's dullcote and glosscote in my airbrush. If I want a semi-gloss, I mix 25% dull, 25% gloss and 50% lacquer thinner. My all time favorite was Floquil's flat finish, but...
     
  7. umtrr-author

    umtrr-author TrainBoard Member

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    George's Trains in Toronto (no relation!) has introduced a new "Flat Haze" in their "Proto-Paint" line. They had an example of a factory painted car which was sprayed with "Flat Haze" at the Toronto Railway Prototype Modeller's Meet last weekend, and I thought it looked really good. Those of us "North of the Border" particularly might want to try it.

    I should have thought to take a photo... but I didn't :frustrated:
     
  8. Ghengis Kong

    Ghengis Kong TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks all for the responses, I'll just have to try Eagle2 and John Moore's suggestions now!
     
  9. norco44

    norco44 TrainBoard Member

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    Interesting subject. For many years I used Testors Dullcote. The trick with Dullcote is to warm the can be sitting the can in hot water or leaving it out in the sub for about 30 minutes. The most important point is hold way back from the model and just lightly dust it on. By the time the Dullcote hits the model it is almost dry. Worked on instruments for many years and this is how we got nice dead flat finish. We uses real clear lacquer, matting agent and lots of thinners.
    Some years back my local hobby shop ran out of Dullcote. The guy suggested that I might try the Tamiya clear flat in a rattle can. Bit more expensive. So I gave it a try on an old test model that had been repainted and decaled. Dusting it on the same way I used Dullcote gave very poor splotchy results. So I thought various bad words and just gave my old test model a close up wet cote. Then I walked away in disgust mumbling about wasting money....
    Came back twenty minutes later picked up my old junker and could not believe what I saw! Just a great flat finish and no decal film visible. The solvent in the Tamiya cans smell like acetone and probably is. I know it drys very quickly.
    So now no more Dullcote, just Tamiya. They make flat clear, semi gloss clear and gloss clear. Try it out and see for yourself.
    Gary
     

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