forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Hints and Tips/Questions about modeling => Topic started by: olfogey on November 27, 2013, 02:05:07 AM

Title: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: olfogey on November 27, 2013, 02:05:07 AM
From reading through the "WIP" threads and such here, it has become apparent that I'm going to need to use a "flat" finish quite a bit...........I am familiar with "Dullcote", and have used it a lot in the past, but am no longer able to do so, due to a severe lung condition - (asbestosis).
Is there a good acrylic alternative??
I did a "google" search and found this: " Model Master Flat Clear Acrylic FM02015 1 oz. " but I am not familiar with it, wondered if anyone was??  (P.S. - I need a product that is easily accessible in the U.S.)

Thanks for any help :) ............ Jim J. -- "olfogey"

Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: Ernie on November 27, 2013, 02:10:48 AM
Hi Jim.  I use the Model Master Acrylic in the airbrush and have never had
a  problem...it gives a good dead dull finish.  I use the Model Master Acrylic thinner
to thin it. I'm not sure about the ratio...just play it by ear.  Hope this helps! :)

Cheers,
Ernie :)
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: lcarroll on November 27, 2013, 02:42:47 AM
Jim,
  I use Model Master "Acryl" 4636 Flat Clear Acryl or 4637 Semi Gloss Clear which is probably an older version of the one you found. It thins nicely with their Acryl Thinner#50496. I suspect it's the same stuff as Ernie's using as we are from roughly the same area of Canada. I normally thin it at about 30-50% thinner and the key is several light coats as opposed to one thick one, works well for me. I believe the Model Master line is again being changed and havn't seen any of the one you refer to, at least not by the number you quote.
  The real key is to test whatever you use on a scrap piece; I use a flat piece of plastic sprayed with the colour finish to ensure it works before I spray the model.
   I'd be interested in more info on your product and what your results are.
Hope this is of some help.
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: olfogey on November 27, 2013, 02:56:03 AM
Jim,
  I use Model Master "Acryl" 4636 Flat Clear Acryl or 4637 Semi Gloss Clear which is probably an older version of the one you found. It thins nicely with their Acryl Thinner#50496. I suspect it's the same stuff as Ernie's using as we are from roughly the same area of Canada. I normally thin it at about 30-50% thinner and the key is several light coats as opposed to one thick one, works well for me. I believe the Model Master line is again being changed and havn't seen any of the one you refer to, at least not by the number you quote.
  The real key is to test whatever you use on a scrap piece; I use a flat piece of plastic sprayed with the colour finish to ensure it works before I spray the model.
   I'd be interested in more info on your product and what your results are.
Hope this is of some help.
Cheers,
Lance

I am not familiar with the "Model Master" acryl at all, just did a quick "Google" search and that's the first I came up with.
Now that I know "Model Master" flat acryl works, I'll look further....................Jim J. -- "olfogey"
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: rhallinger on November 27, 2013, 10:42:41 AM
Jim, I use Pollyscale model RR colors flat finish.  It's acrylic and works very well in the airbrush when thinned appropriately.

Regards,

Bob
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: GAJouette on November 27, 2013, 10:52:05 AM
 Jim,
Another good acrylic is Mircoscale flat which I use from time to time. When properly thinned it airbrushes beautifully. One caution though if you don't thin it down multiple coats end up looking rather like ice. Hope this tidbit helps.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: pepperman42 on November 28, 2013, 10:40:27 AM
Gunze Sangyo is a good one too. Japanese company similar to Tamiya. DONT get Tamiya flat base - its not a dull coat but an additive to make gloss paint flat.

Steve
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: LindsayT on November 28, 2013, 01:08:37 PM
Gunze Sangyo is a good one too. Japanese company similar to Tamiya.
Steve

Available north of the 49?
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: uncletony on November 29, 2013, 12:15:26 AM
DONT get Tamiya flat base - its not a dull coat but an additive to make gloss paint flat.

This is good advice -- you absolutely don't want to use Flat Base straight out of the bottle. Note however that you can use Tamiya Flat Base with Tamiya Clear to mix up your own dull coat, semi gloss, or anything in between. As always practice on scrap as too much Flat Base will leave a horrid furry white residue. Start with about 5:1 Clear to Flat base. Let the test piece set up for a least an hour before you judge the resulting finish and adjust as needed.
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: olfogey on November 29, 2013, 02:17:18 AM
DONT get Tamiya flat base - its not a dull coat but an additive to make gloss paint flat.

This is good advice -- you absolutely don't want to use Flat Base straight out of the bottle. Note however that you can use Tamiya Flat Base with Tamiya Clear to mix up your own dull coat, semi gloss, or anything in between. As always practice on scrap as too much Flat Base will leave a horrid furry white residue. Start with about 5:1 Clear to Flat base. Let the test piece set up for a least an hour before you judge the resulting finish and adjust as needed.

Bo:
Good advice, but I think I'm going to give the "MM" Flat Acryl a try.
Being new at this as it is, I don't want to introduce any more variables than I have to.........lol :)
Supposedly, "Tamiya" makes a "flat" in a rattle can, but I can't find it(??)
Thanks for the tips guys...........Jim J. -- "olfogey"
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: Stuart Malone on January 28, 2014, 12:26:04 AM
Another idea, mix Tamiya flat base with Pledge/Future floor wax.  I've been doing this for quite some time.  A big bottle of Future and a small bottle of flat base lasts quite some time.

Stuart
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: lcarroll on January 28, 2014, 02:25:57 AM
Another idea, mix Tamiya flat base with Pledge/Future floor wax.  I've been doing this for quite some time.  A big bottle of Future and a small bottle of flat base lasts quite some time.

Stuart

Stuart,
    Can you provide the Item No. and / or Product Code from on the bottle of the Tamiya Flat Base you are mixing with Future?
Thanks,
Lance
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: lcarroll on January 28, 2014, 04:28:48 AM
Tamiya X-21 Flat Base

Thanks Justin, I've added it to my shopping list for the next visit to the "Big City". Since I use Future for the gloss coat prior to decaling it makes sense to use a dulled version for the sealant coat, think I'll give it a try.
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: uncletony on January 28, 2014, 04:29:10 AM
Lance, Tamiya X21 is Flat Base, X22 is Clear. You can mix flat base (or flat paste as it is sometimes called) with Future. Personally I think this is ill advised, but I have tried it before and it definitely does work. (I just wonder what it will look like in 10 years...)  I think with Future the ratio is about 10 parts Future to 1 part Tamiya flat paste. Be careful not to use too much flat base or it will dry with a weird milky blue hazy fuzz. I personally prefer using X21 + X22 to concoct whatever sheen I want; the products are designed to be used together and I find it sprays nicer. X22 +  X21 + Tamiya thinner @ 4:1:5 sprayed @ 10 psi gives a nice matte finish. Your mileage may vary though, and yes, Future is cheap...
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: lcarroll on January 28, 2014, 04:33:27 AM
Bo,
   Is that their X-20A Thinner or their Lacquer Thinner? (I suspect the former?) :-\
Thanks,
Lance
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: pepperman42 on January 28, 2014, 05:15:54 AM
Going into the danger zone here. Adding talc to your clear coat is an option with the extra thinning of course.

Steve
Title: Re: Is there a GOOD acrylic alternative for "Dullcote" ??
Post by: uncletony on January 28, 2014, 06:08:37 AM


X-20A is their Acrylic thinner - good stuff too.

Yup!!!