From reading articles in magazines and online for years now, everyone seems to prefer DullCoat as the best flat paint to cover your models with for realism, painting over decals, etc. However, I’m modeling indoors, and the use of enamals or lacquers are just not practical, so I paint with acrylic paints exclusively. I’ve use Polly Scale paint almost all the time, love the flat finish. But I find that the acrylic flat clear coats are just not that flat. I’ve can’t find Polly Scale flat, just simi gloss and gloss. I bought some Microscale clear flat and it has a definite sheen to it. So my question, is there a good flat clear in acrylic model paint?
There’s a clear flat Krylon spray, although it’s not acrylic - seems to work as well as Dullcote but a BIG can is cheaper than th little dullcote. I use the cheapy walmart brand flat black for paintign car weights and stuff liek that.
I just take my stuff outside to spray the enamels. I put the pieces in a carboard box to shield them from the breezes and outside I go. When it’s nice out, I sit out at my porch table and paint, regardless of the type of paint. Of course not every day is suitable for painting, hot and humid won;t work, nor will cold days, but I’m not in a huge rush. It’ll all get done eventually.
I also use Microscale flat. But I have heard from others that Model Masters Acrylic clear flat is better. I haven’t tried it yet, but when I get an order ready for Model masters I will get some.
Water or alcohol work just fine for most acrylic paints. The instructions of the back of the Micro Flat says ‘Apply MICRO FLAT with or without an air brush(thins with water or alcohol) or a soft paintbrush’.
I just got a bottle of the Model Master stuff - I have heard nothing but good news about it from the plastic military modelers.
Gotta agree about the Polly Scale flat. I finally used it to seal some decals for the first time and wasn’t happy with the sheen. Glad to hear there are some better alternatives.
I’ll have to try both the Badger and the Model Master. I’ve got a bottle of the Microscale Micro Flat, and it has a definite sheen compared to a plain Polly Scale color, to me anyway. I must say that it is good paint! Goes on smooth and levels nicely, dries thin. If I were going to cover the whole model, it would be OK, but for just covering a decal it is not as flat as the paint surrounding it, again, in my experience with it. But thank you a lot! I am going to order both the Badger and Model Master right away.
By the way, any of you ever order your Polly Scale from HalfPriceHobby? They have the cheapest price and a good selection of Polly Scale Paint as I’ve found! Just thought I would pass that on.
Randy,
Two reasons why I have a problem with enamels. For one, being disabled, running out onto the porch is not as easy for me, not impossible, but not easy either. Working at my bench is just far more convenient for me. Secondly, I model N scale, and if I were to spray a box car with Krylon spray paint, I’m afraid it would be too thick and the tiny rivets and ridges would be obscured by it. But for spraying say, a large building or other structure, taking it outside and shooting it with some Krylon might be a good choice! as you said, cheap! I use my airbrushes with acrylics and it makes them so easy to wash out, I would be leary of putting enamels in my airbrushes. Unfortunitly my illness also makes it a real bad idea to get solvents on my skin, or to breath it, that too makes it a bad idea for me. But using a spray can is usually a pretty safe activity, I will keep it in mind for larger work.
Thanks everyone who offered their input, greatly appreciated!
Tamiya makes flat, semi-gloss and gloss in spray cans. Their cans have a much finer nozzle than most “rattle can” paint, and can result in a finish that equals an airbrush.
If you live near an art / craft store like Michael’s, they have acrylic matte and acrylic gloss spray in cans for a reasonable price.
I finally got around to buying up the different clear flat paints that were recommended and testing them all on different surfaces. And I have to say, I’m giving the nod to the Model Master 4636 Clear Flat. It just behaved better, laid down flat and without bubbles, dried faster, and left the flattest finish of all the paints I tried. That group included the Badger, the Microscale, and the Model Master, so a small group. But I wanted an acrylic, and I wanted something that could be brushed on or sprayed in an airbrush. I’ve got a few good airbrushes and I just see no use for spray cans anymore, they just don’t offer the level of control you get from an airbrush, and create a great deal of waste. So Model Master is the best of the bunch IMHO, thank you to all who helped!
I just purchased some Model Masters clear, flat acrylic finish for my models and used some airbrush thinner with it and used it in my airbrush. It really gave me the flat finish that I was looking for. I purchased it from Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon. I would recommend this for anyone wanting a truly flat finish on thier models. I am very well pleased with the results