Dullcote on Water Based Paint

[Joe Caruso]

I have a structure I finished with water based paint (my first), I want to
get the shine off and I was thinking of using Dull Cote.

Would the spray Dullcote damage the finish on the structure? If so, any
other options? Thanks to all for your feedback.

- Joe on the ETO
Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada

[Wolf Kirchmeir]

I've never used Dullcote over water-based paints. I use only flat paints
on structures, so I've never had your problem. But I see no reason for
Dullcote not to work.

After detail painting, I finish with washes of blacks, greys, and
browns. Very thin washes - it takes anywhere from three coats on up. I
do a grey wash, say, then immediately randomly apply black and brown
washes. I use slightly heavier washes to apply vertical streaks at
window ledges, below chimneys, etc to show the effects of rain. Do all
this while the paint is still wet, else you'll get hard edges, which
rarely look right. Some people add dry-brushed streaks and highlights on
and near cables, downspouts, etc. Let dry, and repeat if necessary. The
trick is to apply very little colour at a time, as it's easier to stop
when you reach the right stage than to remove paint.

Study and photograph plenty of real buildings for guidance.

HTH

[Mark Mathu]

"Joe Caruso" <j...@joecaruso.ca> wrote in message
news:6sKdnaIMSpt...@rogers.com...

> Would the spray Dullcote damage the finish on the structure? If so, any
> other options? Thanks to all for your feedback.

I've used Dullcote in a spray can over both Badger Modelflex and Delta
Ceramcoat acrylic paints without any problems.
____
Mark

[Roger T.]

Dullcote can be sprayed on anything that's dry. However, it will "wash off"
to some extent weathering chalks.

--
Cheers
Roger T.

Home of the Great Eastern Railway
http://www.highspeedplus.com/~rogertra/

[J Barnstorf]

Paint a piece of scrap material with the water based paints. Let it dry and
then test the DullCote. Some water based paints may crack (ie crackle
effect). Better safe than sorry. Especially at such a late stage in
assembly. I've Dull Cote'ed modelflex and poly s with no problems.

Jb

"Joe Caruso" <j...@joecaruso.ca> wrote in message
news:6sKdnaIMSpt...@rogers.com...

[Daniel A. Mitchell]

ALMOST true. While Testor's Dullcoat (or Glosscoat) is among the safer
oversprays on many surfaces, it CAN attack some paints. I've seen it
'alligator' the finish, and wrinkle and 'mush' decals. And this when the
base layer was VERY dry and cured. These are unusual circumstances, but
it can, and does, happen.

It doesn't really "wash off" the chalks (assuming they're properly
ground into the surface), but does tone them down considerably ...
especially light colors. I consider this to be an advantage with chalks,
as it's harder to overdo the result. If more is desired, just apply
another layer of chalk and more overspray.

One other problem with Dullcoat (and some other dulling sprays) is a
whitish deposit that develops after the spray dries. I've found this to
be the result of two things:

1) using the spray when it's too cold. In cooler weather I warm the cans
in hot water for several minutes before using them.

2) applying an alcohol based wash AFTER applying the Dullcoat. BAD NEWS!
Lacquer thinner based washed CAN be used, if needed (but beware their
effect on plastic).

If the white deposit does occur, it can be removed by brushing the
surface **LIGHTLY** and **QUICKLY** with lacquer thiner. This has to be
done with great care on plastic surfaces to prevent the solvent from
attacking the finish or plastic. It CAN be done, however.

Dan Mitchell
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