My DullCote spray can is almost gone. Hobby shops have sorta dried up and died in the North Country, the nearest one is better than an hour’s drive away.
Anyone had any luck using something else in a spray can in place of DullCote? I tried a satin finish clear spray years ago and it crinkled the decals. I have stuck with DullCote ever since, but I’m ready to give something else a try if it saves a trip to the not-so-local hobby shop.
Yes, be careful of hardware store clearcoats; many are made with harsh solvents that are not plastic friendly. Been there, done that. Use only after testing first!
The only thing I can suggest is discount mail order, it won’t get it to you tomorrow and you will have to pay shipping. Order a few things to take a bit of the bite out of shipping costs per item. I use Model Railway Post Office (MRPO)
I’ve been using Matte-Finish spray for years with no problem. I get it at Wal-Mart.
If you are not in a rush, go to the show in N Haverhill on May 2. A dealer MAY (sorry no guarantees) have some. Even if it is a little far, you get to enjoy the show and may find other things of interest to you. It’s not the biggest show in the world, but I have enjoyed going to it the last few years. Really enjoy the one in Littleton, but that was cancelled last year, unfortunately. Hope it is back this year.
Good luck,
Actually I am going to the N. Haverill show, I’m on the layout setup gang. We have to truck the layout over, set it up, and get trains running before 10 AM. If I haven’t found a suitable substitute, I’ll go shopping at the show. Actually I will go shopping at the show anyhow.
you can order it directly from walthers
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?quick=dullcote
| 704-1260 | Dullcote Clear Finish – 3oz Spray Can | 4.94 |
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Any particular brand name? Is it water based (latex) or solvent based?
Krylon makes it.
I personally think it works better for making pastels stick to it then dullcote, but it’s not as good at sealing it in. But you get a bottle that’s at least twice as big, and I think it runs around 3 bucks.
The Krylon Matte works good, but takes a couple of days to fully cure (harden). It si dry to the touch in about 30 minutes and can then be re-coated. When I use it, I put on 3 to 4 light coats. Make sure you shake the can thoroughly and keep shaking it periodically.
Well I don’t know if you have a airbrush, but I heard Future Floor Finish works. Also hairspray. You just gotta be careful with the hairspray. I think its more used for that level of “I don’t feel like getting the airbrush ready/spray can out”.
From the wilds of northern Maine, where my local hobby shop is 100 miles away - one way - I do all of my railroad purchasing on-line. The shipping charges are a lot less than the cost of gas. The only drawback is the week wait for something to show up.
Dave [banghead]
I have been using the Testors Dullcote in the bottle and then thinning it about 50% it with airbrush thinner.
If you have a Hobby Lobby near you, they have a nice Testors paint selection with dull coat.
Hob Lob also has a large spray paint section in their craft area. I picked up some acrylic spray dull coat that worked great and didn’t stink like the Testors. (LCT brand??) The Krylon works well, but I have had it leave white glaze on a couple projects. Seems to not like humidity.
Future Floor Finish has been used to provide a glossy surface, not a dull finish.
For the white glaze, just respray and it goes away.