Thanks, Joel. Yeah, summertime here is a totally different story humidity wise. This past summer there were entire weeks where airbrushing was just out of the question.

Will likely stick to Future for my gloss finishes. I really want to stick to acrylics if at all possible...which with flat coats in my case evidently isn't. Have a brand new can of laquer thinner standing by, just waiting for the magic call from the hobby shop that my Dullcote has landed.

If you don't have air conditioning, your water trap will work for short painting periods, but you need to drain it often, even during a painting session. Fortunately, we have central air (best investment we ever made for our house.

If your only use for gloss is as a decal base, then sealer, Pledge/Future shot from a air brush is fine. It's my preferred method.
Joel

Finally have some time to report back with an update. I was able to get a few bottles of Testors Dullcote and am happy to say, I'm pleased with the results. That being said, I really don't like having to use a laquer based product. The fumes really make it difficult to work in the space I have available for airbrushing, but since I'm only using it as a final dull finish and not every step on the painting process, I guess I can live with it.

I'm spraying a 50/50 mixture of Dullcote and laquer thinner. The Dullcote is applied in light misting coats over a surface of fully cured Future. I'm getting a nice flat finish with no apparent reaction ot the underlying Future coat. The only thing I'm seeing is that there does seem to be lightening of the paint colors and a muting of weathering effects. It's not going on white and frostty as the acrylics were, but there is a definate tonal shift and muting of washes and streaking that was applied for weathering. I'm writing that off to still finding an optimal mixture, pressure and spraying distance. Only practice and more testing will resolve that. But, at least nothing is getting frosted and the actual paint colors are still visible.

During my Dullcote tests, the Tamiya XF-86 Flat Clear I ordered arrived. Not suprisingly, it frosted exactly the same as every other acryilic flat I've tried. I suppose I might never find out why I cant' get the acryilic flats to work, but at least now I have a solution albeit not an optimal one for my needs. The important thing is that now I'm able to forge ahead and get some projects finished.

Thanks to everyone for helping me out with this. I gained some valuable info and insight in troubleshooting this, and really appreaciate the help.

Attached are a couple quick shots of my first vehicle in 15 years: a 1/48 Tamiya GAZ-67B that will be part of an aircraft and figure diorama I have in the works. Such a small, simple kit but it has taken me nearly two months to finish off becasue of the clear flat issues. The Dullcote muted some of the subtle weathering effects, but at least it's not dusty and white.

Thanks again to everyone!

Bill, glad to see that the Dullcoat did the trick. Sure sorry to read that the new Tamiya acrylic flat has the same frosting issue. This leads me to believe that a common factor is the cause, just don't have a clue to what it could be.

As far as the Dullcoat lightening of the paint including a more muted effect to the weathering, that's exactly what is supposed to happen, and it will happen with that same consistency every time you use it.

A gloss finish is a like a sheet of glass; smooth and shiny. It's those two features that creates a sharper, darker, glossy finish. Applying Dullcoat makes the reflecting light disperse randomly from all those hills and valleys. The end result is a duller, muted, flat finish.

You just need to get use to the final effect, and keep it in mind as you paint and weather.

Joel

Bill,glad the Dullcoat solved your problems.Now that you are a little more relaxed,in the future,I think you should try some of the Liquitex products.I have been using them for over a year now with no troubles.They are cheap,and in my opinion work very well.Jeff T.

I've had the same issue bud. I gave in to the Dullcote. I love it. Can't complain at all.

Cheers,
Tom

about to try Vallejo matt but having read this thread... well I will see how it comes out (reading the pages - neat, 25psi and 30cm from model sound the "starting" point)

Hi, is there really a separate matt clear in the Game Colour range, or is it just the basic Vallejo Matt Varnish?

Thanks
Brad

I've had the same problem over the years with matt varnish frosting. My general method has been to airbrush a light coat of tamiya gloss over the kit before applying a matt coat. This avoids a matt on matt finish which can cause a chalk like effect. I have tried numerous types of matt varnish with various degrees of success, but none have been consistently reliable. A few months ago I picked up a bottle of Mig matt lucky varnish (mig 2051),and low and behold, problem solved. This is the best matt varnish I've ever used. Easy to use with a consistent and superb finish. A garuanteed one stop solution to the problem.