Alternative to Dull Coat

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Is there an Acrylic base alternative to lacquer based Testor’s Dull Coat? Does it work as well as the Testor’s product? Thanks, I’ll hang up and listen. Glenn

2

http://www.testors.com/category/136010/Clears

The above link should take you to Testor’s dull and gloss coat acrylic information.

I haven’t tried this yet, but I plan to do so.

Chuck

3

There are many rattle can acylic flat paints you can use. The Krylon flat is what many use w/ decent results. I would just experiment on an old piece first, even though flat some spray cans nozzles don’t apply the paint layer anywhere to my satisfaction. I still will airbrush Floequil flat, not even a fan of testor;s Dullcoat unless I am using it for a special purpose to weather w/ fogging using alcohol.

4

I’ve used the Krylon with fine results, same as Dullcote for a fraction of the price. Always test, even Dullcote isn’t safe for everything.

–Randy

5

Try the local craft stores. Mine ahve several brands of acrylic flat finishes. Krylon has already been mentioned, and I had good results with Americana brand.

6

Hey Glenn,

Have had good results with Dullcote and Krylon. Bad results with Valspar products. They seem to eat the plastic shell(s).

Hope this helps.

John R

7

This Is a good question- and in these leaner economic times, a very avoid one. I have been going along, getting along with Dullcote for quite some time- and, if it were offered in a standard size spray can, would be willing to continue to use it. But… It is relatively pricey as a small model paint spray can, and even though I generally buy 2 at a time, I find that I tend to run out often. With the decline in the number of LHS’s around the country, if anyone has a set of alternates that they have tested as equivalent replacements for Dull-cote, to spray on as a final cover coating after all panting and such is done, I- for one- am very interested! Cedarwoodron

8

Uh, make part of that first sentence: a very VALID one… These darn small iPads!!! Cedarwoodron

9

For what it is worth - Krylon’s “Clear Matte” finish is not dull enough for me.

10

I have never used Testor’s Dull Coat, so I can’t compare. I got a rattle can of Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Matte Clear to try out on my buildings after my weathering attempts. It went on easy, but when dry it still had a glossy/shine finish. It wasn’t as dull as I wanted it to be. I have not used it on any rolling stock yet.

11

While not available in spray cans, Microscale and Polyscale both have clear acrylic flats, these can easily be airbrushed. I have used both. If you need alot, get a pint of Minwax Clear Flat Polyuratane. You’ll have to strain and thin it for model use.

12

Years ago I used a clear matte finish in a rattle can instead of DullCote. It made the decals go all crinkly. I went back to Dull Cote and stayed with it to this day.

Before I try Brand X on a good model, I’ll test it on a bit of scrap styrene with some decals on it.

13

Why acrylic? I use Scalecoat II clear in my airbush for my models. It comes gloss and flat and the two can be mixed for any finish in between.

I hear people talk about it, but I can’t imagine using hardware store rattle cans on models.

My experiance is that such products are much thicker/heavier than products designed for models.

Sheldon

14

Perhaps the OP was looking for a product that can be used with an airbrush. I don’t own one so I can’t help him there.

To continue with some of the rattle can discussion: I’m one of those people who spray their models with rattle can products. I find that only flat or satin finishes work well out of the can, with gloss finishes being hopelessly too thick. Almost any Krylon flat or satin finish tends to be as good or better than any hobby label product. The other general purpose paint label’s spray too heavy, IMO, so its Krylon only for me.

Having said that, I have not found a better dullcoat than Testors. I’ve used the Krylon matte product and the finish just doesn’t look right to me. It looks okay on structures, but not on locomotives or cars. The Testors is worth the extra money.

15

I would agree - rattle cans don’t give a fine enough spray for modeling…

I like a mixture of dullcote and glosscote thinned with laquer thinner sprayed through an airbrush (internal mix brush). Mixing in a bit of glosscote prevents that chalky look that sometimes comes with using dullcote straight - doesn’t take much…

I have tried the acrylics through my airbrush, but didn’t like the finish of any of them…

16

I’ve been using Polyscale Clear Acrylic Flat and Microscale’s Acrylic Micro Flat (dead flat) for 15 years (airbrushing) as a custom painter and love the results and none of my customers have complained.either. It does take a bit different technique than spraying on a laquer finish tp get the same look.

17

Thanks for all of the feedback. It turned out to be an interesting question with lots of different answers. I learned a lot. Initially I was just seeking an easy-clean-up, relatively safe-to-use alternative to Dull Coat which I see mentioned so often in “how to” articles. Glenn