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Clear Coat

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  • Member since
    December 2011
  • 72 posts
Clear Coat
Posted by NSDash09 on Monday, November 19, 2012 5:28 PM

I have some Testors dullcoat in a spray can that I have used in the past although it actually changes the color to a faded and very flat finish. I am working on an Amtrak Heritage P40DC, what kind of clear coat would look best for fresh painted well maintained locos? Is there any clear coat that will be entirely clear without making the locomotive shiny? Thanks in advance. PS I don't have an airbrush so as of right now i would need a spray can.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Monday, November 19, 2012 5:43 PM

Dullcoat is a flat clear finish. It should not change colors but instead make it dull. You could get a can of gloss coat and try it on something other than your loco to experiment with. In the past I have used gloss coat and then just dusted (very very light coat ) of dull coat over it to give a satin finish. I have used nothing but rattle cans in the past. I just bought an air brush last month. I have 30 year old Penn Line locos that were rattle can painted and still look decent.

     Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Eastern Shore Virginia
  • 3,290 posts
Posted by gandydancer19 on Monday, November 19, 2012 5:48 PM

It sounds to me like you are putting on too much.

Elmer.

The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.

(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Good ol' USA
  • 9,641 posts
Posted by AntonioFP45 on Monday, November 19, 2012 7:19 PM

Hello NS,

For a fresh paint appearance without looking "toylike", I would respectfully suggest a Semi-Gloss Clear.  It would give you a finish that is similar to this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Amtrak_146_GE_P42DC.jpg

Airbrushing clears offers the advantage of  viscosity control and flow out.  But from your write up, it looks like you prefer rattle cans.  Testor's MM line has a good semi-gloss clear that might work well for you:

http://www.amazon.com/Semi-Gloss-Lacquer-Clear-Testors/dp/B004QPGAYA

You can probably find it at your local HobbyTown or HobbyLobby shops.

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

 


  • Member since
    December 2011
  • 72 posts
Posted by NSDash09 on Friday, November 23, 2012 12:41 PM

Yeah Semi gloss sounds like the way to go. At some point I would love an airbrush but for a 4x8 confined to a small office I think an air brush is a bit overkill at the moment. Thanks for the advice and that picture really helps.

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