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Testors Dullcote

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  • Member since
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  • From: Schererville, IN
  • 11 posts
Testors Dullcote
Posted by racer_x5150 on Sunday, January 22, 2017 10:14 AM

When building structures and weathering, I go through this stuff like water.  Is there another brand that you guys use that is a bit more economical and produces the same results? I'm not airbrushing....using a rattle can. 

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Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, January 22, 2017 10:21 AM

Maybe check out the spray can selection at the hardware store.  I know they have a clear coat product, not sure if you can get it in a dull coat.

I hear you about the tiny expensive cans that Testors has.

Mike.

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Posted by RR_Mel on Sunday, January 22, 2017 11:03 AM

Both Krylon and Rust Oleum make a Clear Matte that works very good.  It goes on much thicker and can be a problem over fine detail.  I keep a can of Testors for sealing things with a lot of fine detail.   
 
 EDIT:
 
One to avoid is Tree House Studio Clear Acrylic Matte Coating, it causes massive paint color bleeding.  For single color objects it works very good.
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
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Posted by dknelson on Sunday, January 22, 2017 11:13 AM

At least locally the Michaels craft store chains stock DullCote AND nearly every Sunday's newspaper has a 40% or even 50% off any one item coupon for Michaels.

I have also scored some Xacto knives and blades at Michaels using those coupons. 

Dave Nelson

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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, January 22, 2017 12:18 PM

I have tried everything I can find in a spray can... NOTHING is a replacement for Testors #1260 Dullcoat. I don't even think the Model Master product is as good. Everything I have tried...  The list must be at least 20 different products, is too heavy, too shiny, had cloudiness, or produces unnacceptable color shift.

.

If you are going to try a different product, buy a few scrap used train-set cars from the local hobby shop to use as sacrificial lambs.

.

The only acceptable alternative I have in my bag of ticks is to spray DDV out of an airbrush, or brush on Vallejo Matte Varnish. The Vallejo should not be used on train cars, but it is the right product for figures and details.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Sunday, January 22, 2017 3:45 PM

According to the web, there's a Michaels in your region:

Michaels, 10323 Indianapolis Blvd, Highland, IN

May be worth checking out.

Not intending to ruffle feathers, but why not airbrush? More flat clears to choose from that, imho, yield a smoother and "just as flat" finish as Dull Cote (and its competitors). 

High Greens :-)

 

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, January 22, 2017 4:19 PM

I use Dullcote in my airbrush, and get a lot of mileage out of the 1¾oz. bottle.  I thin it with ordinary lacquer thinner.

Another advantage of using it in this form is that it can be mixed, in varying proportions, with Glosscote to obtain whatever degree of semi-gloss might be appropriate for any project.

Another airbrushed option could be Scalecoat's Flat Finish - I've not used it, but it should thin with lacquer thinner, too.

Wayne

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Posted by Bundy74 on Sunday, January 22, 2017 6:39 PM

RR_Mel

Both Krylon and Rust Oleum make a Clear Matte that works very good.  It goes on much thicker and can be a problem over fine detail.  I keep a can of Testors for sealing things with a lot of fine detail.   

 
I use the Rustoleum for larger items like structures.  A note here, I have had it occasionally attack plastic, so make sure there is a suitible coat of paint before you apply the matte.

Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.

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  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Sunday, January 22, 2017 7:27 PM

Bundy74

 

I use the Rustoleum for larger items like structures.  A note here, I have had it occasionally attack plastic, so make sure there is a suitible coat of paint before you apply the matte.
 

I was afraid of that so I always spray it on as thin as possible and let it dry over night.  After the first light coat is fully dry a heaver coat doesn’t affect plastic.  I used it to seal all of my Athearn Streamlined Passenger cars without any problems.
 
I can’t tell any difference between Krylon and Dullcote once its applied.  If applied too thick it will puddle around fine details, if you’re careful it works as good or better than Dullcote.  It really seals decals, decals end up tougher under Krylon than Dullcote.
 
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
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Posted by cedarwoodron on Monday, January 23, 2017 11:55 AM

I recall reading an earlier discussion about DullCote which described it as having talc particles in the formula, which- I believe- other matte sprays do not have. I have used the Krylon matte clear with nominal results, but prefer the flat apsect which DullCote gives. If only Testors would make a larger can

Sad Cedarwoodron

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Posted by PennCentral99 on Monday, January 23, 2017 9:08 PM

doctorwayne

I use Dullcote in my airbrush, and get a lot of mileage out of the 1¾oz. bottle.  I thin it with ordinary lacquer thinner.

Wayne

Dr. Wayne, Sir:  I've been meaning to experiment with liquid dullcoat through an airbrush, what ratio do you use to thin it? I was planning on starting with a 50/50 solution and work from there.

thanks, Terry

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Posted by doctorwayne on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 12:02 AM

I usually thin it anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 lacquer thinner, but mostly the latter.  The thinner evapourates so quickly that you can apply successive coats, if needed, as fast as you're able to paint.  Once you've worked your way around a car, locomotive, or structure, the original starting point is already dry enough to handle or re-coat.
Unless one is painting structures with glossy paint, there's usually not much need to add a flat finish.  Once they're on the layout, they'll not often get much handling.

Wayne

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Posted by PennCentral99 on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 8:41 PM

thanks

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Posted by kasskaboose on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 4:03 PM

The new version of Dullcote doesn't seem to remove the shine compared to the old version.  Anyone else notice that?

Perhas to save on using Dullcote so quickly, spray a bit farther away from the object?

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Posted by Bundy74 on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 5:52 PM

I've noticed that as well.  I usually do 2-3 coats, partially for the shine, and partially for full coverage.

Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.

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Posted by dknelson on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 5:57 PM

DullCote seems to have changed formulas and contents a few years ago.

Dave Nelson

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Posted by doctorwayne on Thursday, January 26, 2017 1:14 AM

I haven't noticed any difference in the bottled variety, but Testors of late has been notorious for discontinuing or altering paints which have for years been top sellers simply because they were good paints.  They ditched Floquil pretty quickly, then altered Pollyscale by making it "airbrush ready".  In plain English, that means that they added water and made it useless for brush painting.  I'd guess that sales dropped, giving them cause to drop the line entirely.  Some of their Model Masters paints are okay, but none are the equal of the original Pollyscale, in my opinion.

Wayne

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Posted by j. c. on Thursday, January 26, 2017 7:22 AM

charcoal fixative works well , pricer than most matt finishes but way cheeper than dullcoat.

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