I’m trying to achieve a flat finis for my models, but I face problems, no matter what I try.
I tried the flat clear of Lifecolor, but it’s not really flat after diluting, and forms white residue on the surface even when I spray relatively lightly. (It’s kind of hard to spray on a shiny surface a shiny, wet clear finish…)
I also tried Future with the Tamiya agent in it (I forgot the name, but you just give it to paints and it makes them flat), but it only made a slightly satin finish.
I really would like to stay on acryls, but I need a “dead flat” finish…
Any suggestions? Thanks.
Try Polyscale flat coat for acrylics, it is water based so you can thin it to what ever level you wish. It is a great product. I have also had success with Testors Dullcoat, sprayed over FULLY CURED acrylic finishes (Tamiya). Let me qualify that last statement as applying Dullcote over acrylics is probably not considered “best practice”. I have had a few issues with acrylics being melted by the laquer, because they were not fully cured. I have since switched to the Polscale product and am very happy with it.
Steve
Thx 
I use Testors dullcote, just make sure that the paint is dry, and if you want put a coat of future over the model (might take two coats) so that the flat is not directly touching the Tamiya paint.
I’m surprised you didn’t have success with Future + Tamiya Flat Base. I’ve really found it to be consistantly flat. If you ever try it again in the Future (sorry about the pun) , mix it at a ration of 4 parts Future to 1 part Tamiya Flat Base.
Andy
Another vote for the Polly Scale flat - I use it all the time and never have trouble - ever.
I will add my vote to the Polyscale clear flat appreciation society!
Wonderful stuff giving a beautful flat finish with pretty much a trouble free application.
cheers
Mike
One vote for Future with Flat Base, cheap and works fine.
Another advantage is that you can very the level of flatness, when you want that.
I use MM Acryl flat clear. I have never had a problem. It is always sprayed over MM or Tamiya acrylics. I like it because it is really dead flat for military aircraft.
Help!
My son and I are beginners in scale models. We were told to use a gloss coat to apply decals then apply a flat coat over top. We are using Tamiya acrylics. The decals look pretty good, but when we painted on the flat coat it came out chalky.
Since we don’t know how far we are going to go with this new hobby we are only using brushes. If we like what the results are I am willing to invest in an airbrush.
Have we ruined my son’s P51-D? He’s looking pretty sad right now…
–edit–
Whoops, never mind.
Found my own answer on MusicCity’s Web Site (Thanks Scott, wish I had read your website first!). We were using Tamiya XF-21 all wrong. [B)]
No harm really done, I found I could buff most of it off, we had only done a bit of the wings before we realized we had a problem.
[soapbox]Yet another [B)]victim to the worst [censored]product in the hobby! [:(][banghead][BH]
Question(s)-do you thin and if so, with what? what psi do you run when you spray the MM Acrylic flat?
Getting ready to use the airbrush/Acrylic flat combo the first time (over a Future’d finish) and appriciate all the info I can gather.
Thanks
I disagree. I use it a lot and it’s very useful when used properly. It is not paint, it is not a clear flat, it IS a base as indicated on the bottle.
[tup]
You shouldn’t need to thin it, it’s already thin enough to spray. Try about 12 psi.
Thanks Scott.
I’ve had trouble with Testor’s dullcoat from a rattle can-it sometimes will be white. I place the can in hot water for a bit then really agitate it-call it names, etc.
Dan