Shaka HI Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 I'm trying to stay away from favorite flat coat -- Testor's Dullcote. I've experimented with Future/Tamiya Flat-base, Windsor/Newton Matt clear acrylic and Liquitex Matt (or something like that). There's nothing else that's readily available here. I've noticed that these will pool in to little dots of clear and they end up drying splotchy on the surface, gloss-coated with Future. I've tried thinning all of them with distilled water, Tamiya's acrylic thinner, Windex...etc. with the same results. Light misty coats around 10-12 PSI, to heavy, wet coats (which of course caused other issues). I've noticed that these work well on flat, painted surface, but not when it's glossy. Would lightly sanding the surface to provide the clear some grip help? Any idea on how I can lay down a nice matt coat (like Dullcote) with the above mentioned acrylic matt clears? I've already ruined two almost finished projects and I'm getting somewhat frustrated here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aurora Mark Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 Had the same issue initially with the Il-2 when I wanted to dull down the paint. I found that by warming up the Tamiya dull coat before airbrushing helped quite a bit. Warm water, and I left the bottle (after shaking it up) in there for a good 15-20 minutes. Once I was ready, I shook it like it owed me money. Didn't have that issue after that. Same setup as you had, perhaps just slightly higher PSI (around 15 PSI), but no more splotchy dots. 2-3 thin coats, and it dried nice and dull. Hope this helps. Mark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Crazy Snap Captain Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 Tamiya's XF86 Flat Clear (Acrylic) works great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netz Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 I don't care for acrylic clears, if something goes wrong there's not much you can do to correct it. Stick with the Dullcote Lacquer, works every time, and if something does go wrong, you can fix it. Curt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
balls47 Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 I'm with Netz on the Dullcote. It's bulletproof. However, I have tried using more acrylic clear coats. The problems arise when you don't have it mixed up. Acrylics don't stay mixed up very well compared to enamels and lacquers. Warm it up and stir the snot out of it. Also, when you are ready to spray the model, spray your mixture on a test dummy first. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DutyCat Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 There is no smoother flat finish on the planet than Testors Dullcoat thinned 50/50 with lacquer thinner. Stick with that. As has been mentioned, it is bulletproof. The only time you have to worry about the supposed yellowing with Testors clear coats is if you apply them heavily out of a rattle can. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wdw Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 When it comes to acrylics, I agree 100% with "Snap Crazy Captain". Tamiya's XF86 Flat Clear is great. I thin it a bit with Tamiya thinner and add a tiny squirt of Windex which keeps my fine tip airbrush from clogging. Great results time after time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aurora Mark Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 I used the Testors clear coat, but am quickly moving over to XF86. I'm very happy with it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shaka HI Posted December 27, 2014 Author Share Posted December 27, 2014 Thanks guys. I can't seem to find Tamiya's flat coat @ the LHS. I'm looking for alternatives mainly because I'm not sure how long our LHS will stay in business and I can't mail order hobby paints (due to shipping restrictions). I'm experimenting with artist arcylics/oils, etc if/when the LHS' go belly up and/or my supplies run out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon91352 Posted December 27, 2014 Share Posted December 27, 2014 Try Ammo of MIG Matt Varnish for a dead flat or their Satin Varnish for a flat varnish with a light shine. Thin with their original A.MIG2000 thinner. Those are the best flat/semi flat varnishes I tried until today! It resembles me a bit to the old formula Polly Scale flat varnish in the green labeled bottles, but Ammo of MIG still is superior. I dont´t really like Ammo of MIG´s range of normal colour acrylics, but their varnishes are superb stuff! Try it and you will be satisfied. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joel_W Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 I've been using Testors Glosscoat and Dullcoat since the early 1970s, and just never had any issues with either of them. I use Future only for hand glossing small parts that I'm just to lazy to air brush. Joel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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