I found a readily available substitute for gloss cote- top coat nail polish. I was reading online on how to seal a scrat on my car, and they said clean the surface and apply top coat nailpolish. So, I got to thinking...why not try it for a model? it does work, but I haven't tried it with an airbrush, o I'll let you guys know how that works out when I try it.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
I don't see the cheap part of the equation. Testors spray gloss is $2.20 an ounce, the cheapest nail top cote I see is around $1.58 for 0.4 oz, up to $28 for 0.5 oz.
Secondly what's in it? One brand I googled has toluene and isopropyl alcohol of the chemicals I heard of. Some of the Chinese brands list no ingredients. Not worth the risk to me or my models.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I'd test the polish or nail paint on a test subject first before applying it to a good model. I've had some bad reactions, including plastic softening, when using nail paint products on model automobiles and aircraft in the past. Also, as "BigDaddy" mentions above, most often ounce for ounce model specific paints and clears are usually cheaper then non-model specific paint products.
Hope it works out for you though!
Regards.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."
Around here, Testors' Glosscote and Dullcote, in 1 3/4oz. bottles, costs between $6.00 and $7.00, but thinned with lacquer thinner for use in an airbrush, will cover dozens of HO scale freight cars or locomotives, at pennies per item.
Wayne
Top coat goes on really thick. Not so much a problem for cars because the clear coat is thick itself. But it's likely four or five times as thick as fine hobby sprays.
Instead of possibly harming your models with acetone or toluene, maybe you should try Future floor polish. Relatively cheap, very shiny for decals, and very good for making plastic "glass" look good, too.
Uncle_Bob maybe you should try Future floor polish.
.
Let me also cast my vote for Future Floor Polish. Very good stuff.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I use Krylon Clear Acrylic spray. Is plastic friendly. Spray it through a soda straw and collect it in a bottle so it can be air brushed. Clean the air brush with laquer thinner or acetone
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
You can even brush-paint Future (or Pledge Multi-Surface Floor Care, or maybe something else if you don't hurry up and buy some) as it levels very well.
Just be sure to protect your model from dust, as it takes a few days to cure.
Eric
I seem to remember someone years ago using clear nail polish as scenery, as a finish clear coat over a painted surface to simulate water, making waves / ripples and such.
i've used clearcoat for a finish coat on fishing lures i produce, its tough chip resistant non yellowing and i get it at 79$ a gallon. never though about using it on models.