Does anyone know of a substitute for Testors Dull-cote. The stuff works great, but at over $3 for a 3.5 oz can! I’ve tried all kinds of stuff, but nothing I’ve tried has as flat an appearance as the Testors. Any suggestions?
Try Krylon Matte finish. Available at a lot of art/craft stores and hardware stores.
I’ll second Krylon matte finish. I’ve used it almost exclusively for years, and it works at least as well as Dullcote.
Dullcote is available as a liquid for use with an air brush. It can be thinned and is inexpensive, probably one $2.00 bottle is equivalent to (10) 3.5 oz spray cans, and it works well. Gloss cote is available as liquid too.
To be really cheap you could just let the locos and rolling stock sit out and never dust it, that always dulls everything… [:)]
Thanks gang… I appreciate the input!
Ive never used Testers Dullcote so I cannot compare it, but Ive used gallons of
Wattle Matte or Satin Laquer over the years. This gives a very hard Protective
coating to your Model. but, and there`s always a but, You must be very conisious
{spelling?} of the humidity on the day.
Regards.
Guys, I have to respectfully disagree. Krylon Matte isn’t in the same league with genuine Testors Dull Cote, at least the can I tried wasn’t. I’ll never buy Krylon again.
I used Krylon matte,with no problem…after I melted the decals. Lesson learned,now I don’t spray so close to the model.
Dullcote is OK,but you get more bang for your buck with krylon matte.
Patrick
I’m with you, grande man. I like the Dulcote. Especially since it comes in two different rattle cans, one fine spray and one coarse spray.
Something I have used is “dead flat varnish” its water based so can be thinned, it is available @ home decor centers and is used in faux finishing techniques among other things and can be found with the glazes in the paint section, dries flatter than my dullcoat did, can be brushed on to small areas or applied with an airbrush.
Have fun and be safe
Karl.
Those who don’t ike the cheap stuff (Krylon)…
How come? What is inferior about it?
My experience with Krylon is that it remained tacky for what seemed like forever, didn’t have nearly as fine a spray pattern, and left some of the models with a slight sheen instead of a true flat appearance. As for cost, a $3 can of Dull Cote actually goes pretty far. It’s just not cost prohibitive, IMHO. YMMV.
I’ve never had trouble with Krylon matte finish. I understand that a couple of years ago they produced a bad batch that turned white after drying, but that problem was corrected. The advantage of the Krylon is that it is acrylic based, not lacquer based, so it won’t melt paint or decal surfaces. I used DullCote once on some dry transfers and they ran down the side of my car. This has never happened with Krylon.
I bought a can of Krylon about a year ago and it frosted. I would never trust it. I have been using Floquil flat finish and have had good results.
Harold
I use Krylon when possible, but I don’t use it out of the can. I tip the can upside down, depress the button so all the pressure goes out of the can, punch a hole and use the paint in a normal air brush. Much better/finer finish.
I have successfully used the matte finish before but I don’t find it “dull” enough for my tastes. Add a drop or two of grey or black to make it a little more foggy.
I’m pretty sure Future Floor Polish might work. Its a little trick that airplane modelers use and they include me. It can be airbrushed.