Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Rattle can substitute for Testor's Dullcote?

6590 views
18 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Loudonville, NY
  • 776 posts
Rattle can substitute for Testor's Dullcote?
Posted by Benjamin Maggi on Thursday, March 26, 2020 3:12 PM

Every place is out of stock, and I heard that it is discontinued. There are several options for those people with an airbrush, but for those of us who use rattle cans what is out there? I would assume the regular stuff at Home Depot wouldn't be fine enough (particle size wise) to work, but who knows. What do you guys use?

Thanks.

Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 3:15 PM

Can we get confirmation that Testors Number 1260 Dullcoat is or is not discontinued?

That would be a disaster for me. I hope this is just a rumor.

It still shows as a current product on the Testors website, and is in stock at Michaels online.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,642 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 3:18 PM

Did you try HobbyLinc?

The web page shows that there is currently some in stock:

https://www.hobbylinc.com/testors-spray-dullcote-3-oz-hobby-and-model-enamel-paint-1260

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

 


  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Northfield Center TWP, OH
  • 2,538 posts
Posted by dti406 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 4:04 PM

Krylon clear finishes are good they have several different types. The custom painter of brass I know used it for his final coat.

Rick Jesionowski 

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Yorkton, Sk, Cnd
  • 441 posts
Posted by wvg_ca on Thursday, March 26, 2020 4:08 PM

as a replacement for dull coat in a rattle can, i've always been impressed with Krylon Fusion Clear Matt ...

it's an excellent alternative, but i have no idea of stocking levels at any stores ??

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 10,582 posts
Posted by mlehman on Thursday, March 26, 2020 4:10 PM

I've been getting Dull-Cote at Hobby Lobby pretty consistently.

I've tried the Krylon, but seems to go on pretty heavy unless great care is taken.

I've also tried Tree House Studio also from HL and it has the same issue.

Hard to beat Dull-Cote for reliable , controlable and easy application.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 4:55 PM

I have had unacceptable color shift when using Krylon Matte Finishes.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Thursday, March 26, 2020 5:18 PM

I have no experience with Tamiya, but people say the spray volume is not excessive, something I could not say about Dullcote.

TS-80 is billed as Flat Clear.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 1,190 posts
Posted by mvlandsw on Thursday, March 26, 2020 6:58 PM

Rustoleum has "Dead Flat" but I found it to be more like semi-gloss.

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Thursday, March 26, 2020 7:41 PM

Benjamin,

I would opt for the Tamiya.  The nozzles are excellent and give a very fine and even spray.  And I've never had one clog yet.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Thursday, March 26, 2020 7:48 PM

March 17, 2020

No Need To Panic- Blue Labels Aren’t Going Anywhere


Note that Testors isn’t dropping all of their paint products. They’ll still be keeping the blue can line of sprays which also work on models depending on what effect you’re going for. No need to panic.

If you don’t know what things like dullcoat/clearcoat are and why they’re important for the hobby, they’re basically a clear, protective layer that hardens around the model. This keeps your models safe from scratches, especially on metal minis. If you’re not protecting what you paint, you should definitely look into grabbing a can and get your finished projects squared away! Just be light with the spray.

 
 
 
Mel
 
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,455 posts
Posted by wp8thsub on Thursday, March 26, 2020 8:03 PM

Try Treehouse Studio's acrylic clear matte, available at Hobby Lobby.  It dries dead flat.

Rob Spangler

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Thursday, March 26, 2020 8:17 PM

I tried Treehouse Studio clear to seal some inkjet printed labels and the ink bled something terrible, I donated it to the County Dump. Krylon Matte worked perfect.
 
 
 
Mel
 
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
 
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, March 26, 2020 9:32 PM

I use Krylon flat now.  I think Testors used to have a much grainier Dul-Coat, but they changed the formulation and the newer stuff just isn't worth the extra cost and effort.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, March 26, 2020 10:42 PM

MisterBeasley
I use Krylon flat now. I think Testors used to have a much grainier Dul-Coat, but they changed the formulation and the newer stuff just isn't worth the extra cost and effort.

Testors #1260 certainly is not as flat as it once was. The new formulation is maybe eggshell rather than flat.

However, it still has the least amount of color shift of any rattle can I have tried.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Loudonville, NY
  • 776 posts
Posted by Benjamin Maggi on Friday, March 27, 2020 8:02 AM

Thank you everyone! I would have posted sooner but I didn't receive any notifications (I guess that feature isn't working). The "rumor' I alluded to seemed real enough as Amazon and Ebay were selling Dullcote at crazy prices and the local stores here were all sold out. Maybe it is a temporary thing.

I will continue to use it, but am interested in the Tamiya product too. Having a back-up plan is a good idea.

Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 2,360 posts
Posted by kasskaboose on Friday, March 27, 2020 9:18 AM

Michaels llists the same Testors product.  It's cheaper than Amazon.  I use it. 

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Friday, March 27, 2020 10:49 AM

What Testors did was remove the word DullCote from the package.  That threw me for a loop for a while too.  But I saw that the words DullCote are used in tiny letters on a wee bit of paper label that keeps the lid on the can body.  Seems odd that Testors spent all those years creating such brand recognition for DullCote and now they seem embarassed by the name.  But it isn't the only strange decision Rustoleum has made since acquiring the Testors name and assets.

DullCote did seem to change their forumla some years ago.  Something to do with the talc suspended in the transparent medium?  

At any rate, any time Michael's crafts has their 50% off any one time coupon in the paper, I head over and more often than not I use it on a can of DullCote.

Dave Nelson

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New England
  • 6,241 posts
Posted by Jumijo on Friday, March 27, 2020 12:06 PM

MisterBeasley

I use Krylon flat now.  I think Testors used to have a much grainier Dul-Coat, but they changed the formulation and the newer stuff just isn't worth the extra cost and effort.

 

Are you using Krylon Fusion Clear Matt?

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!