I was wondering what ya'll use for dull coat to seal your decals or to just flatten the finish on your equipment. I've been using Testors in a spray can for years now, but I'm starting to notice that it "scratches" off easily and it doesn't always dry in a consistent manner. Thanks! Chris
You could try a big box store for a larger can of matte finish spray. You'd get more for your money. I can't speak for how they turn out on structures and rolling stock, but we use it for our line of business and it works well. I'd guess both Krylon and Rustoleum make the stuff, and maybe others. Dave
I have used the Testors gloss to prepare a non gloss surface for decaling and the dullcoat to blend and seal it in. In both cases I have used it in the spray can and occasionally I will spray some in a can lid to use with a brush for limited areas. The only issue I have had with the product has been my own fault when I got a little heavy handed and made one pass too many. If the can is not mixed well before application that can cause an unevenness. Otherwise I like the product and have tried other brands, but it has been my go to for years because of the consistency of results with the product.
Used to use Dullcoat religiously way back in my HO days until I guess I finally went a little too heavy on a model and ended up with a wavy orange peel-like finish. Up 'till then then finishes were all perfect but I always did multiple light and quick passes. I since switched to Pollyscale paints and finishes, so I could thin to desire and control the output (whereas, a rattle can is all or nothin'). Since Pollyscale is no more, I will also need to look for another option once my last bottle runs out. I kind of needed to look for another option anyway as the Pollyscale "flat" finish had changed somehow and was putting down a sort of chalky pigment that made paint look faded in the process. This was a neat effect in many cases for older looking paint jobs but not so great if you didn't want a faded paint look.
I have used dull coat for years but lately I have been going to the local hardware store and buying Krylon clear flat spray paint. I goes for about four and a half bucks, a big savings over the tiny rattle cans of dull coat and does the same thing. The most important thing to remember is to put on light coats instead of one heavy coat. The stuff dries fairly quickly and additional coats can be applied as needed. DON'T RUSH. Take your time. I also like doing things this was as it sure saves time by not having to clean the air brush repeatedly.
Testors Dullcote in a bottle, thinned with a little lacquer thinner and applied with an airbrush. A little goes a long way. I've been using the same bottle for decades.
I haven't had any problems with Dullcote in the rattle can. One thing I do every time with spray cans is sit them in some very warm/hot tap water for about 5 minutes before spraying. I read an article long ago that recommended this to get the mixture inside better combined and help the spray come out a little finer.
Testor's quality in general has gone down. Three years ago I sprayed "Dullcoat" on a newly finished locomotive and got a finish that would have looked better on restored muscle car. It wasn't about stirring the product, it was someone put a flat label on a gloss bottle. I had been using Testors lacquer dull cote with success, but the last can was not great in quality either. Tamiya's acrylic flat is nice, pre-thinned for airbrush and a nice dead flat. Only spray cans I trust are for models as the Rustoleum and Krylon cans a nozzle that distributes way too much paint for N scale.
Thanks for all the info guys. I heard from a friend that Scalecoat Gloss and Flat are solvent based, and might lift the paint. Anyone had success with these?
Dullcoat is okay, but I am not fond of the talc they put in it. Try this sometime - before decaling spray with Rustoleum clear gloss and after decaling spray with Rustoleum Matte finish. Works pretty good.
