What kind of Flat coat do you use?

Trekmanscott · Post by **Trekmanscott** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:09 pm

I'm wondering what kind of flat coat people use. I have used Testors acrylic flat coat for years. I sometimes get questionable results with it. yellowing, not looking flat, etc. so I was wondering what other options are out there. Thanks.

karim · Post by **karim** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:18 pm

I like Polyscale flat clear. Clean, easy, thin with windex.

I've also had good results mixing it with Future to get "shades" of semi-gloss.

big-dog · Post by **big-dog** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:14 pm

Tamiya flat base and Future.

macfrank · Post by **macfrank** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:43 pm

big-dog wrote:Tamiya flat base and Future.

I've used that. I'll only add that the Tamiya flat base really has to be mixed well in the Future, or the results will be disastrous.

I'm currently using the Acryl flat, either straight (it's dead flat when dry) or mixed with Future to get a matte finish.

Saturn · Post by **Saturn** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 4:00 pm

I'm also using Flattened Future. But I always mix it fresh and discard the unused portion. I had a severely frosted finish once- not sure if it was a mixing issue or an old batch issue. (it was three months old)

I lean on Testors Acryl Flat if I'm in a rush.

Lt. Z0mBe · Post by **Lt. Z0mBe** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:22 am

I use Krylon clear matte finish, in the spraybomb can. Sometimes, I'll spray it into a paint cup for airbrushing.

I hope this helps.

Z0mBe

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 11:35 am

Testor's Model Master Flat Acrylic (and Semi-Gloss).

Actually have a bottle of gloss too. Accidently picked it up, thought it was semi-gloss.

Warped Speedster · Post by **Warped Speedster** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 1:12 am

Their spray stuff isn't bad either. Testors often gets a bad rap for their paints. But I think their clear flat coat and gloss coat lacquer (in spray cans) are some of the best products they make, and as good as any. But I've had terrible results airbrushing with their clear lacquers that come in bottles. For some reason (in my experience) they dry way too fast to properly coat (seal) the surface.

I haven't really tried their clear acrylics for airbrushing so I can't say anything about them. I have used them for brush coating dinosaurs and figures though with good results.

And I also think ZOmBe's idea of spraying clear coat from a can into a cup for airbrushing is a good idea. I've done that with pretty good luck with both clears and color paints.

Mr. Badwrench · Post by **Mr. Badwrench** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 4:38 am

I use Testor's clear flat lacquer. It can be tinted with oil paint, a drop or two of white will add a "sun bleached" look to the finish. Definitely have to wear a mask when airbrushing with it though, it'll jack your lungs up pretty good.

Jagdson · Post by **Jagdson** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 7:25 am

I've been using plain old Testor's dull coat for years. It's nothing special but it worked well enough. Lately, though, I've been displeased with its results when applied to very small models and miniature ships. It seems to have a feathered surface now.

eeun · Post by **eeun** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:53 am

Microscale Micro Flat.

It's easy to thin with water or methyl hydrate for airbrushing, and mixes well with Future.

Testors Dullcote is my other favorite, but I've developed a nasty sensitivity to it (it involves evil little, itchy hives. When I was young and immortal I scoffed at those warnings about "well ventilated areas". Take ye heed, younger modellers!).

YT · Post by YT » Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:57 pm

eeun wrote:Microscale Micro Flat.

It's easy to thin with water or methyl hydrate for airbrushing, and mixes well with Future.

Thats good to know, I've seen it around and always wondered...

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 12:32 am

Then there's always the question of what kind of flak coat do you use.

Mark Yungblut · Post by **Mark Yungblut** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:05 pm

So far the best flat finish I have found is Humbrols matt. I have successfully killed the highest gloss finish with it. The other advantage is no matter how many coats I put on, it remains dead flat.

joewhite · Post by **joewhite** » Wed Apr 27, 2005 8:44 pm

I'm a big fan of Model Master flat and semi-gloss. But I will only thin it with Windex. Works everytime!

P.W.Roice · Post by **P.W.Roice** » Sun May 01, 2005 12:47 am

I have always had good results with the Testors laquers (glosscoat and dullcoat) sprayed from a rattle can. It's great not to have to clean my airbrush when I'm done using them! Recently I have started using oil paint and mineral spirit washes so I swithched to polly scale acrylic flat and gloss. It also works well, but I miss the convenience of the rattle can in some cases. Does anyone know if you can successfully apply a mineral spirit wash over gloss coat laquer? If not can anyone recomend good set of gloss and flat acrylics that are available in rattle cans?

Tony Agustin · Post by **Tony Agustin** » Sun May 01, 2005 2:44 am

Gunze Sangyo Clear flat.
I used to use Microscale and even the Testors stuff but the Gunze Sangyo tops them all.