Gloss Cote Darkening The Base Color

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
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I am building the Revell F15E Strike Eagle in 1/48th scale and the overall base color is "Gunship Grey FS36118. I used the Mission Models MMP-084, and being one new to this paint line, it sprayed nicely.

When I applied a glosscote over the “Gunship Grey”, it darkened it up substantially. Now I know that applying a glosscote does this, but I was never too concerned about it. I watched many YouTube videos from other modelers and I see that any glosscote darkens the base coat, but this “Gunship Grey” is dark compared to the actual flat finish.

I used Tamiya X22 Clear as my glosscote on my F15. I have also used Krylon Cyrstal Clear Gloss (spray can) in the past as a substitute as well as Pledge Floor Care (which I like).

The question is how light will the “Gunship Grey” be when I apply a flatcote (Tamiya XF86 Flat Clear) to the model when I am done? Will it lighten up to the point it looks like the actual color of an F15?

Thanks guys!

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Not sure about the Tamiya clear coats, since I haven’t used them yet, but things should lighten back up after the flat clear coat is applied.

Here’s a before and after pic of my F-16 tail (not the same as FS36118 I know, but it shows the comparison in how dark it is after the gloss). I used Future for the gloss coat before and after decals went on. After that I used Testors Dullcote and it lightened right back up to the Neutral Grey color. You can also see the FS36118 (like your Mud Hen’s color) on the back portion of the fuselage after the final flat clearcoat was put on.

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Yep! That is quite the difference in the glosscote and the flatcote. I am a little bit more at ease now, but the proof is in the pudding, so to say.

Once I apply the flatcote, well there isn’t any turning back from there. Whatever it looks like is it.

Thanks for the input Eaglecash867!

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One thing about glosscoat is that it makes the tone more variable with respect to viewing and lighting angles. It can look darker at some angles and lighter at others. Depends more on background, while a good flat looks the same over wide angles.