Need advice on spray matte clear coat.

Back in the day I used floquil brand spray clear coat, but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

I saw the price of GW's spray clear coat and nearly died of a heart attack.

So, two questions:

Does anyone know where I could find Floquil spray clear coat?

If not

What clear coat do you recommend?

I like Testors...


I'm sure you can find some "Off Brand" or even some standard paint companies that have coating spray at just about any big box store or hobby shops

The Madman wrote:

I like Testors...


I'm sure you can find some "Off Brand" or even some standard paint companies that have coating spray at just about any big box store or hobby shops

I have a genetic aversion to Testors brand paint.. lol I don't think I could bring myself to use a Testors product.

I have in the past used some clear coats that don't actually dry totally clear, and that will change colors or shades of the undercoat. So I am very picky about my clear coat.

The testors stuff is really good. I'd say get over it and buy that.

Matt wrote:

The testors stuff is really good. I'd say get over it and buy that.

yeah if you are going to be picky about price ...


but seriously,
a little over a year ago, Testors went through a chemical conversion (in part, for the "Green Movement") andin part for better quality specificially their clear coats and finishing products

I've yet to see an all out gripe or slam against what they make

CaelynTek wrote:

The Madman wrote:

I like Testors...


I'm sure you can find some "Off Brand" or even some standard paint companies that have coating spray at just about any big box store or hobby shops

I have a genetic aversion to Testors brand paint.. lol I don't think I could bring myself to use a Testors product.

.

too bad..

Floquil is now a Testors brand.

http://www.testors.com/category/133504/Floquil

Here are their sealers
http://www.testors.com/category/137406/Clears

I used to see it in Johnny's toys. They were going out of business last I knew but supposedly keeping the train department.

You can always call down to their store in Covington to see if they will order the product.

http://www.johnnystoys.com/locamain.htm

Well if you guys say Testors is the way to go, I suppose I can give it a try. I just finished the paint job on the first miniature I've painted in a LONG time... like 8 years. And now I need to base it and clear coat it.

I wish I could find the second of my model tool kits... it has my basing materials in it... damn....

I love Dull Cote. Swear by the spray can variety. Just make sure your model is fully dry. Otherwise you'll get white dots in spots as the laquer reacts to the water in your paint.

John Gemrich wrote:

I love Dull Cote. Swear by the spray can variety. Just make sure your model is fully dry. Otherwise you'll get white dots in spots as the laquer reacts to the water in your paint.

I usually prefer a matte clear coat. Matte coat always seemed to bring out the colors more than a flat coat.

The three kinds of clear coats I am used to are Flat, Matte and Gloss.

Where does Dull Cote come in on that scale? Where does Crystal Cote come in on that scale?

CaelynTek wrote:

John Gemrich wrote:

I love Dull Cote. Swear by the spray can variety. Just make sure your model is fully dry. Otherwise you'll get white dots in spots as the laquer reacts to the water in your paint.

I usually prefer a matte clear coat. Matte coat always seemed to bring out the colors more than a flat coat.

The three kinds of clear coats I am used to are Flat, Matte and Gloss.

Where does Dull Cote come in on that scale? Where does Crystal Cote come in on that scale?

Dull is a Flat Matte coat. Sometimes so flat you need to reapply metallic highlights or wait to do them.

I think Flat = Matte.

Satin and Gloss are the other 2.

Not sure about Crystal but I assume it is a gloss.

John Gemrich wrote:

CaelynTek wrote:

John Gemrich wrote:

I love Dull Cote. Swear by the spray can variety. Just make sure your model is fully dry. Otherwise you'll get white dots in spots as the laquer reacts to the water in your paint.

I usually prefer a matte clear coat. Matte coat always seemed to bring out the colors more than a flat coat.

The three kinds of clear coats I am used to are Flat, Matte and Gloss.

Where does Dull Cote come in on that scale? Where does Crystal Cote come in on that scale?

Dull is a Flat Matte coat. Sometimes so flat you need to reapply metallic highlights or wait to do them.

I think Flat = Matte.

Satin and Gloss are the other 2.

Not sure about Crystal but I assume it is a gloss.

Yeah the definitions of flat and matte are different depending on the manuafacturer... the matte I used to use, is what people now days call satin.

Testors Dull cote is the way to go.

Just let it dry outside in a well ventilated area. It smells terrible.

So I bought both Testors Dull Cote and Crystal Cote.

Since they also have Wet Look Clear Coat and Gloss Cote, I figured Crystal Cote was going to be close to what I used to use.

Turns out Crystal Cote is just a little too glossy for my taste, so I hit it again with a single layer of dull cote... and with the combination of the two, it came out just like I wanted it. Not to flat, not to glossy.

That's exactly what I do.

Hit it with a gloss coat to really protect it... then knock it back with dull coat.