I cant seem to get this stuff to work correctly. I glossed up my F-16 to apply the decals, then glossed again to seal. Now I have a shiny F-16. I want to get it back to flat. So i mixed 2 parts Tamiya clear, with 1 part Tamiya Flat base and 1 part thinner. Its still makes that white powder finish all over my model and didnt really make it flat?
Is there a better way to turn a gloss finish flat?
Falcon, to get a nice flat finish, get a spray can of Testors Dullcoat. Spray it on in light coats. The finish will be nice and smooth and flat. It’s that easy. I’ve been using it for years with great results.
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Hope this helps.
Jim [cptn]
The Flat Base is designed to turn Gloss paint… flat.
25% flat base is too much?, ignoring the thinner that’s 33%.
Getting clear coats right is definately a ‘black-art’
I find 5% - 10% works, depending on the base. I haven’t used Tamiya clear, but have used old-formula Future, mixed in an old 35mm film can, with sealable lid, about 10% for flat, 5% for satin.
I have also tried other Xtra-acrylix Satin, & that was a disaster, so you are not alone.
I agree, 25% max, excluding thinner. And never just flat base… I made that mistake the first time.
I have only recently started using Flat base with future. I didn’t want to over do it and only added a few drops to a cup on future and I found that was plenty.
Just to create a flat finish, I would go with some other waterbased product - like Microscale, Pollyscale, or Vallejo. I’ve used all 3 and they work well, use them just like any paint, no need to mess around with getting the right ratio.
If you want an acrylic, Model Master has an acrylic gloss, semi-gloss, and flat. I mixed it 50/50 with Tamiya thinner and it went on with no problems. The bottles have white labels and are a little larger than the standard model master size.
Groot
[dto:] I also use MM mixed about 50/50 and no problems at all. Light coats are best.
Bish
I have a bottle of the Tamiya flat but have not used it. So about 10% -15% to Future ratio will give a dead flat finish?
Why bother with ratios and praying for good luck? Toss the flat base and get some one step flat finishing product, Dullcoat, or the acrylics mentioned above.
I’ve never understood the fascination with using this [cnsod] product. It’s very existence makes no sense. Turn a gloss paint flat so you can make it glossy again to apply decals then mix up a devil’s brew of flat base and floor polish to bring it, hopefully, back to a flat without ruining the decals with a film of white chalk.
K.I.S.S. This is one of the few things I learned in my brief insurance man career several decades ago.
Equally problematic were the English directions Tamiya used to provide…exactly the same as with their regular paint. Apply, let dry 15 minutes before applying another coat.
When I hand brush figures I put a drop of the stuff in whit val paints to keep from getting shinny spots from to many brush strokes.
Use ACE brand non spar varnish.Or any brand of non spar varnish flat.
I’ve yet to find anything that works better for me than Alclad’s matte coats, specifically 312 and 314.
I guess you missed my post stating that I use MM flat acrylic. I also use MM flat lacquer. I’m merely asking about the Tamiya ratios because I have a bottle and have never tried it. I like to try different products to see which one works best.
I also agree by using Alclads flat base because it dries fast.