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Dullcote ruining windows?

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  • Member since
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  • From: Wayne County Michigan
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Dullcote ruining windows?
Posted by dale8chevyss on Sunday, January 11, 2015 7:59 PM

I'm new to dullcote (Testors) and was wondering how it performs over model windows- does it distort and ruin the clearness like superglue does?  I don't have any window material left to find out myself.

 

Thanks

Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.

 Daniel G.

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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, January 11, 2015 8:12 PM

Depending on the "look" you want, any overcoat of additional finish will cause the clear glazing to craze or get hazy. On some structures you may want to reduce the transparency of the glazing. Dirty factory windows or background windows where you don't want to see the details (or lack thereof) you could use a matte spray to fog the glazing. Sometimes I'll tape a hazy material in order to reduce the clarity of the glazing. Sometimes you can get the effect with steel wool or very fine sanding.

The best choice is to add your glazing after all the building finishes have been applied or at least mask the windows unless you are going for a dirty factory window.

As far as fogging in the same way super glue vapor ruins the glazing I have not encountered that result (with a masked window) using Krylon or Testors clear finishes.

Have fun! Ed

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Posted by HO-Velo on Sunday, January 11, 2015 8:13 PM

This is a few light coats of airbrushed 50/50 Dullcote & lacquer thinner on the inside surface of the window glazing.  Shiny on the outside fogged on the inside.

Regards, Peter

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Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, January 11, 2015 9:37 PM

Daniel:

Simple answer - yes it will ruin the 'clearness' of the glazing. It doesn't damage the glazing the same way CA does but you won't be able to see much through it.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by Mark R. on Sunday, January 11, 2015 10:46 PM

If you do get dullcoat on clear glazing that you don't want, it can be easily removed with a Q-Tip and some alcohol without harming the clear plastic.

Mark.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

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Posted by CajonTim on Sunday, January 11, 2015 10:47 PM

Yes, it "fogs" the windows.  I don't do building interiors so I generally like that effect.  Another thing I noticed if you lite the interior it tends to soften the light being emitted.  Another effect I like.

I haven't had the experience of it ever ruining the window glass material, but if you want to see thru the window, don't spray it with Dull Cote.

Tim

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Posted by zstripe on Monday, January 12, 2015 2:29 AM

I air brush Dullcote on all my buildings, before I install the window glazing. I build all the buildings at the work bench. For a four sided building, I build to right angle sections, spray dullcote, let dry, install window glazing, complete building and install on layout. All foundations are already pre-set up, so building will fit exactly where I want it. They are not fastened down, all can be moved by lifting, disconnect a simple two wire plug-in and take it to the work bench if need be. Most all buildings have first floor interiors, upper floors have White frosted Acetate which is paper thin, can be cut with scissors. This back drop building is three sided with a cardboard back that is also part of the roof, inside are LED's, outside lights are incandesants, all resister's and wiring are hidden from view and are centralized to two wires that go down a brass tube and disconnected, then building can be moved. Out side details are missing, cause I'm working on the whole area and don't want the shop vac' to eat them when cleaning. Takes a lot of planning and measuring, but I'm in this hobby for real and have an extreme amount of patience, I learned that from model wood ship building.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

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Posted by NP2626 on Monday, January 12, 2015 7:18 AM

dale8chevyss

I'm new to dullcote (Testors) and was wondering how it performs over model windows- does it distort and ruin the clearness like superglue does?  I don't have any window material left to find out myself.

 

Thanks

 

 

It will make the windows look frosted; or, dirty and non-transparent.  I don't own an airbrush and brush on most of my paint.  However, I’m still using rattle cans to Spray Dulcoat as this is the only time I spray any paint and I am presently running tests on brushing water based clear satin varnish, to see if I can even eliminate this need for spraying.  If this works, it will also eliminate the need to install windows after painting on the flat finsh.   

 

NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"

Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association:  http://www.nprha.org/

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Posted by zstripe on Monday, January 12, 2015 10:24 AM

Mark,

I totally forgot to mention this in my other post.....try Vellejo Satin Varnish, 100% Acrylic Resin, can be brushed on or airbrushed when thinned with water. I just started using it on brushed on item's. Dullcote will mix the colors already painted, when brushed on. This one won't.

Take Care! Big SmileBig Smile

Frank

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Posted by NP2626 on Monday, January 12, 2015 10:34 AM

zstripe

Mark,

I totally forgot to mention this in my other post.....try Vellejo Satin Varnish, 100% Acrylic Resin, can be brushed on or airbrushed when thinned with water. I just started using it on brushed on item's. Dullcote will mix the colors already painted, when brushed on. This one won't.

Take Care! Big SmileBig Smile

Frank

 

Frank,

 

I'm assuming you meant me and not the other Mark!

Thanks for the suggestion!  I'm attempting to find stuff that I can buy at my local hardware store because my closest hobby shop is 80 miles away. 

 

Mark

NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"

Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association:  http://www.nprha.org/

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Posted by zstripe on Monday, January 12, 2015 10:48 AM

Yes....My reply was for You Mark. I have just started using it. Works great for brushing. I understand looking for another source, but at my age, If I want it, I get it within reason. I can't drive anymore, so I let the Mailman do my walking for me.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

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Posted by maxman on Monday, January 12, 2015 2:39 PM

I don't think that we should blame Dullcote for ruining Windows.  I think we should blame Microsoft.  Every time they do an update something or the other doesn't work properly..  Further..............

ummm, you mean model train windows?  never mind.

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Posted by mactier_hogger on Monday, January 12, 2015 5:38 PM

maxman

I don't think that we should blame Dullcote for ruining Windows.  I think we should blame Microsoft.  Every time they do an update something or the other doesn't work properly..  Further..............

ummm, you mean model train windows?  never mind.

 

 

Big SmileBig Smile Good one!!

Dean

30 years 1:1 Canadian Pacific.....now switching in HOSmile

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Posted by mlehman on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 1:05 AM

NP2626
I'm attempting to find stuff that I can buy at my local hardware store because my closest hobby shop is 80 miles away.

Mark,

If there's a Hobby Lobby around, they may also have Vallejo. Our does. I may have to check out this Satin magic that Frank is pushing, too. Could come in very handy with painting figures.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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Posted by zstripe on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 1:24 AM

mlehman

 

 
NP2626
I'm attempting to find stuff that I can buy at my local hardware store because my closest hobby shop is 80 miles away.

 

Mark,

If there's a Hobby Lobby around, they may also have Vallejo. Our does. I may have to check out this Satin magic that Frank is pushing, too. Could come in very handy with painting figures.

 

Mark,

That is exactly what I was using it for....Military figures, Especially my Son's Warhammer 4OK Game's figure's that have about six different colors on one figure, I use Citadel Arcylic paint for them and the Dullcote Lacquer was smearing the colors when applied with a brush, not to mention the painstakingly applied tiny decals that go on them....unit badges.

Couple pic's.

Take Care! Big SmileBig Smile

Frank

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Posted by Medina1128 on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 9:03 AM

You can get the same effect by using Scotch "invisible" or vanishing tape. The nice thing is, you can peel it off if you want to go back to clear glazing.

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Posted by georgev on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 6:59 AM

I learned my lesson about Dullcoat and buildings back in my teenage years.  I detailed the interior of the upper floor of an Atlas switch tower.  With wire, scrap wood, cardboard and paper I built a series of interlocking levers, a desk and cabinets.  Looked really nice - until I Dullcoated the exterior!  One window was modeled as partially open, so if you got your eye right next to that window you could see a little of the desk.   As they say, live and learn.  Or maybe try things and learn.

George V.

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