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Best Flat Finish

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Best Flat Finish
Posted by FRRYKid on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 10:45 PM
Given that the popular flat finish is not longer available, what is the best brush-paintable flat finish? I may be a little bit old school, but I prefer to brush paint everything. There is less masking involved and I think you have more control over the paint. (So you don't think I'm that old, Amtrak predates me.) I tried to use Badger's Flat Finish, and all I ended up with was the gloss finish showing through. I even tried two coats. I don't know if I did something wrong or what. I would prefer water-based but if I have to go solvent, I have played with Scalecoat II, which, ironically enough, is what I have to flat finish. Any help would be welcomed.
"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by doctorwayne on Thursday, September 5, 2013 1:17 AM

I think that your choices may be rather limited, as most model paints nowadays dry too fast to be brushed-on effectively.  However, Scalecoat 1 lists Flat Glaze, Gloss Glaze, and Satin Finish, and my guess is that these are clear finishes, probably with the longer drying time of Scalecoat 1 paints.


Wayne

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Posted by zstripe on Thursday, September 5, 2013 4:38 AM

There are other Model paints out there that are Flat finish,,just not railroad colors per say..Military colors for models and figures, also buildings..To use them,takes a little different approach,then most are used to when brush painting,,but they work perfect,for brush work,once you get the technique nailed down....For starters,There is, Tamiya,,which has many colors to choose from,,Citadel,Import,,expensive,,Vellego,that's,spelled wrong,I'm sure...Any way there are others,in my opinion work great for brush painting...My other Hobby is ships and Military Dioramas...If you can,,pick up a copy,of Fine Scale Modeler,,for idea's..

Cheers,

Frank

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Posted by bogp40 on Thursday, September 5, 2013 8:13 AM

Wayne mentions w/ the evolution of most modeling paints these days, that many don't brush well for a decent finish.  I have found  Tamiya to be an excellent choice for brush painting. Many waterbase choices, even though will lay flat, will need multiple coats as the pigmentation can be weak in it's coverage. The Tamiya works very similar to the Floequil in this respect.

Floequil, even though production has ceased. will still be on shelves for some time until supply is depleted. Stock up (as I have), The common colors may disappear, however items like the clear flats should be easily found. Scalecoat 2  works decent brushing just need to coat quickly to stop brush marks.

Not a real fan of "rattle" can painting on models, due to quality of spray/ nozzles, but there are many acrylic flats available to clear coat that will provide a far better "smoother" finish than brush painting.

Best results are AIRBRUSH....

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

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Posted by FRRYKid on Thursday, September 5, 2013 11:51 AM
bogp40

Floequil, even though production has ceased. will still be on shelves for some time until supply is depleted. Stock up (as I have), The common colors may disappear, however items like the clear flats should be easily found.

If you might know where I might find some, let me know, because both the closest thing I have to an LHS and the IHSs (Internet Hobby Shops) don't have any flat finish in Polly Scale.
bogp40

Scalecoat 2  works decent brushing just need to coat quickly to stop brush marks.

I have never had any issues with brush stokes with the SC II paint that I have used. I have painted an Athearn work caboose and never noticed any evidence of brush strokes.
bogp40

Best results are AIRBRUSH....

Probably true, but where I live I don't have the capability to properly hook up a spray booth. And using an airbrush outside is time limited as I live in a Northern climate.
"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by FRRYKid on Thursday, September 5, 2013 11:53 AM
doctorwayne

However, Scalecoat 1 lists Flat Glaze, Gloss Glaze, and Satin Finish, and my guess is that these are clear finishes, probably with the longer drying time of Scalecoat 1 paints.


Wayne

Unfortunately, I work with plastic models which SC 1 is not recommended for.
"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by doctorwayne on Thursday, September 5, 2013 12:02 PM

Yeah, I overlooked the fact that brush painting Scalecoat 1 (or original Floquil for that matter) isn't practical on plastic or over water-based paints.  Both can, however, be airbrushed over such surfaces.
You could try matte medium for brushing - test it on something else first, but one of its uses is as a protective surface over paintings, and it's also water-based.  It goes on milky white, but clears as it dries.


Wayne

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Posted by wp8thsub on Thursday, September 5, 2013 12:06 PM

My favorite for airbrushing is still the solvent based Testors Dullcote.  I've always preferred it to anything from Floquil or Scalecoat.  It seems to work pretty well for brush-paint applications as well.

For larger projects like structures, I like Treehouse Studio acrylic flat, which is available in large spray cans from Hobby Lobby.  Unlike every other spray can product I've tried it dries dead flat.  It can be decanted into a jar and brushed on too.

Rob Spangler

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Posted by FRRYKid on Thursday, September 5, 2013 12:21 PM
doctorwayne

You could try matte medium for brushing - test it on something else first, but one of its uses is as a protective surface over paintings, and it's also water-based.  It goes on milky white, but clears as it dries.


Wayne

I hadn't thought of using matte medium as a flat finish over paint before. That is something I will have to try.
"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by wp8thsub on Thursday, September 5, 2013 12:34 PM

FRRYKid
I hadn't thought of using matte medium as a flat finish over paint before. That is something I will have to try.

Beware, it goes on REALLY thick and tends to develop pronounced brush marks.  It doesn't brush on in nice thin coats like products like flat finishes for model paints.

Rob Spangler

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Posted by locomutt on Thursday, September 5, 2013 12:45 PM

I don't do very much "brush painting", I usually use an airbrush.

As far as a "Flat Finish" goes, I use Testor's Dullcote. I have used other products including "rattle cans" but for me, this has been the way to go.

I don't think they (Testor's) dropped it from their line of paints like they did Floquil & Pollys S.

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

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Posted by FRRYKid on Thursday, September 5, 2013 11:54 PM
wp8thsub

Beware, it goes on REALLY thick and tends to develop pronounced brush marks.  It doesn't brush on in nice thin coats like products like flat finishes for model paints.

I figured that I would need to thin it down somewhat when I use it anyway. Even when it is used as a railroad adhesive, it is thinned down.
"The only stupid question is the unasked question."
Brain waves can power an electric train. RealFact #832 from Snapple.
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Posted by NP2626 on Friday, September 6, 2013 6:20 AM

I guess I must do everything wrong, then!  I have used Floquil and any model paint I have ever owned; or, acrylic paints over what ever paint was used to paint the model by the manufacture; or, previous owner, without ever encountering any problems.  I do not have; nor, do I want an airbrush and I only paint with brushes.  For having done all these things, absolutely wrong, I have to say I have some pretty good looking stuff!  I know that there are paint incompatibilities with some paints and have stayed away from those paints.  I don't want them and don't need them, because sure enough, the next time I will use them, I will screw something up.

It's my experience, that despite the fact that Floquil and Polyscale are being replaced/renamed, flat colors are more available today, then they were 10-20 years ago.  Try the Ceramicoat line of acrylics. 

NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"

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

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