flat finish

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Techniques
1

I’m new to this hobby. My last build was in 1986 and the way i got back was when my daughter check out this hobby shop and bought me (3) 1/44 scale WW2 aircraft and that was it, the experience and memory just flame my interest again… This is an awesome site, i learn alot from you all ,full of infro and pros who love to models. I notice how advance modelling have grown.
One of my question is what kind of flat finish you apply to a WW2 aircraft, either brand name products or any homemade formula. I use acrylic paints and the experience i had on one of my model when using tamiya flat is it went frosty white.
Thanks for you help,
waynenoda

2

Tamiya flat is an additive to flatten gloss paints. If you spray it onto your model, it will ruin your finish.

I would recomment Pollyscale flat acrylic clear.

cheers

MikeJ

3

Yep, that Tamiya flat is a flattening agent, not a flat coat in its own right. If you mix it about 4 parts Future to 1 part flat base you should get a really nice flat coat. Just remember to lightly mist coats on and let the flat build up. It won’t turn white that way, but will be a clear flat coat.

4

I agree with maddafinga.

I used to use brand name flat finishes, but on heavily weathered aircraft, it still looked to ‘satin’ in appearance, hence didn’t look ‘right’.

I made up my own flat finish, and it works like a charm.
Tamiya flat base
Future floor polish
Windex

I dont have ratios, I make a new batch every time I run out, and because you never know when a manufacturer might change their recipe I have chosen to not risk it, and spend a few more minutes mixing, rather than a few hours undoing a total stuff up.

Yes I agree, I have trust issues[^]

5

Another victim of the dreaded Tamiya flats. They really ought to put a warning label on that stuff.
BTW [#welcome]

6

Thanks again for your help, I’ll either try to pick up some polly scale clear or with the tamiya flat i have left I’ii try the formular maddafinga gave.
Much Mahalo

7

Whew…almost.!
A good way to ruin my many days work on a Panther G is that Tamiya flat base.

I tried the future mix and there was a definite slight whitening. I brushed some straight future on there and it’s back to normal now. I may have put too much flat in it? I think I’ll try the poly scale flat now.