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Matte finish spray on airbrushed model?

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  • Member since
    January 2021
  • 24 posts
Matte finish spray on airbrushed model?
Posted by Max Karl on Saturday, February 6, 2021 8:00 PM

I’ve started an airbrushing project on my Athearn RTR locomotive. I realized I needed to have a clear coat, but the paint on the model came out shiny, so I picked up some KRYLON Matte Finish spray paint. Would spraying this on affect the detail of the model or paint thickness and could I spray it through my airbrush?

  Max Karl, MRL and BNSF

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Saturday, February 6, 2021 8:11 PM

I use both Krylon and Rustoleum Matte, just a light coat. If you have a hobby shop or Hobby Lobby close they normally stock Testors Dullcote which is a very fine spray.

Mel



 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, February 6, 2021 8:13 PM

I have had poor results when I used Krylon Matte Finish in a pinch. It goes on heavy, and it has too much opf a color-shift for me.

I always use good-old Testors #1260 Dullcoat. It is not as dull as it used to be, but it is still acceptable.

Try the Krylon first on a cheap Hot-Wheels car and see if you like the results.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
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Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, February 6, 2021 11:26 PM

I agree with Dullcote as a better choice.  I use lacquer thinner for airbrushing Dullcote, usually in a roughly 50/50 ratio.  This will give you a lot better control than any spray can.
Depending on the "age" your locomotive represents, you could also make a semi-gloss by combining Dulcote and Glosscote, then thinning that with lacquer thinner.  The ratio of dull to gloss will determine the final effect, and it's an option not usually available in a spray can. 
I use several varieties of gloss and semi-gloss on steam locos, then apply weathering  (usually fairly sparingly) over that.

Wayne

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: Lancaster city
  • 682 posts
Posted by cats think well of me on Sunday, February 7, 2021 9:23 PM

I'm a fan of Tamiya clear flat in a spray can and recommend trying it out as well. 

Alvie

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Sunday, February 7, 2021 10:53 PM

I paint all my models with Scalecoat paint, ands use their clear in my airbrush to top coat models. They have gloss and flat which can be mixed to provide any sheen you want.

I have never trusted spray cans for this work.

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, February 8, 2021 9:17 AM

Dullcote in a can may come out lumpy, like pig skin.  I've read good things about Tamiya.  Dullcote will fog your window glass if that is installed.

Having gone to the trouble of airbrush a car or engine, I am not interesting in trying to reinvent the wheel and see what else may work. (because it might not)

 

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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    January 2014
  • From: MN
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Posted by Da Stumer on Monday, February 8, 2021 9:09 PM

I use Tamiya X-86 flat clear thinned with their X-20A at a 1:3 ratio. It’s all I’ve ever used, but it seems alright.

-Peter. Mantua collector, 3D printing enthusiast, Korail modeler.

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,775 posts
Posted by snjroy on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 9:31 AM

I thought that Dullcoat was being discontinued... Lately, I have been using a sealer made by Americana. It comes in a can, which I prefer. I used it on locos, cars, buildings and on building windows (to blur them up a bit). So far so good. In fact, I find that it does not darken the paint as much as Dullcoat, but I could be imagining things...

Simon

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