My first model using an airbrush is going very well. (I’m a student, so I didn’t always have the money for one!) I’m now ready to apply some Testors Dullcote, but I need some advice. What ratio of Dullcote to thinner do I use (I’m using a generic hardware store paint thinner)? Any other tips on what I should (and should NOT) be doing?
Thank you very much!
First off, are you spraying over an existing gloss coat? I only use Dullcoat as a last step, after I applied my decals and all else. Also, dullcoat MUST be thinned with actual lacquer thinner, not hardware store mineral spirit/paint thinner! It is a lacquer based product and will not thin properly with regular thinner. Therefore ventilation IS A MUST!
Thinning for spraying as always, usually needs to be as thin as milk. I try not to shake, always stir so as to not create air bubbles, and only spray enough to knock the gloss of an underlying coating.
I must disagree with the previous poster on a couple points.
I use the same generic “PAINT THINNER” from the hardware store you’re probably using. Unless I’m really careless and apply too thick a coat, which may whiten somewhat, I’ve never had a problem, The whitening has happened maybe twice in 25 years and hundreds of applications. It went away with a judicious aplication of Dullcoat tothe affected areas.
I shake the bottle vigorously to mix the carrier and dulling agent. Heck, you’d shake a rattle can, right? Again, in all the years I’ve used Dullcoat, I’ve not had a prolem with bubbles when I pour it into the color cup. Any that might persist are broken up when I stir in the thinner.
I use an eye dropper to get the Dullcoat to a watery consistency. I have no idea of the ratio. To some degree, it depends on how fresh your bottle is. As the carrier evapoprates from being opened, you will need more thinner to get it through the airbrush.
Is my method successful? As I said, I’ve been using this same method for Dullcoat (and Glosscoat, though that needs lees thinner) for some 25 years. It works well enough for me to have a couple hundred awards stashed away in the cellar and to have taken firsts at the local, regional and national IPMS levels as well as golds at AMPS East, and silvers and golds at figure shows.
I thin Dullcote about 50:50 with lacquer thinner. I’ve never tried regular paint thinner. I always put a coat of Future on the model first. I spray a thin coat of Dullcote, just enough to get the finish I want.
But, before you spray your model, paint something else like a plastic bottle with the same paint. Then try the Dullcote on that first.
Don
Buck198: I just use dullcoat in a can keep the can at least 12’’ away from your model, I get excellent results this way also remenber to shake the can as you use it apply light coats I have found. One coat is usually enough Aceses5[proplr][bgr]