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Dull-cote substitute

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  • Member since
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  • From: Clinton, MO, US
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Dull-cote substitute
Posted by Medina1128 on Friday, November 4, 2005 2:42 AM
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?
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  • From: Napanee, Ontario, Canada
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Posted by cmurray on Friday, November 4, 2005 7:12 AM
Try Krylon Matte finish. Available at a lot of art/craft stores and hardware stores.

Colin ---------- There's just no end to cabooseless trains.

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Posted by orsonroy on Friday, November 4, 2005 7:21 AM
I'll second Krylon matte finish. I've used it almost exclusively for years, and it works at least as well as Dullcote.

Ray Breyer

Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943

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Posted by karle on Friday, November 4, 2005 11:56 AM
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.
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Posted by dano99a on Friday, November 4, 2005 5:34 PM
To be really cheap you could just let the locos and rolling stock sit out and never dust it, that always dulls everything... [:)]

DANO
C&O lives on!!!  
Visit my railfan community site: http://www.crtraincrew.com

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Posted by Medina1128 on Friday, November 4, 2005 6:39 PM
Thanks gang.. I appreciate the input!
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Posted by John Richards on Saturday, November 5, 2005 6:49 AM
I`ve never used Testers Dullcote so I cannot compare it, but I`ve 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.
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Posted by grandeman on Sunday, November 6, 2005 9:50 AM
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.
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Posted by dragonriversteel on Sunday, November 6, 2005 11:49 AM
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

Fear an Ignorant Man more than a Lion- Turkish proverb

Modeling an ficticious HO scale intergrated Scrap Yard & Steel Mill Melt Shop.

Southland Industrial Railway or S.I.R for short. Enterchanging with Norfolk Southern.

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 7, 2005 1:09 AM
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.

QUOTE: Originally posted by grande man

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.
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Posted by ukguy on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 3:56 AM
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.
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Posted by jxtrrx on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 8:28 AM
Those who don't ike the cheap stuff (Krylon)...

How come? What is inferior about it?
-Jack My shareware model railroad inventory software: http://www.yardofficesoftware.com My layout photos: http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a33/jxtrrx/JacksLayout/
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Posted by grandeman on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 8:40 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jxtrrx

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.
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Posted by cmurray on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 10:18 AM
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.

Colin ---------- There's just no end to cabooseless trains.

My PhotoBucket album: http://s31.photobucket.com/albums/c390/CN4008/

My RailImages album: http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4049

My web site: http://www.cmgraphics.ca

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Posted by hminky on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 11:00 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by cmurray

I understand that a couple of years ago they produced a bad batch that turned white after drying, but that problem was corrected.


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
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Posted by Texas Zepher on Sunday, November 13, 2005 3:42 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jxtrrx
Those who don't like the cheap stuff (Krylon)...
How come? What is inferior about it?
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.
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 13, 2005 4:20 PM
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.

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