Life used to be so simple, spray-painting's done, now it's Testors time: Dullcote or Satincote? I've probably still got a very nearly empty spray can or two in the garage. Simple question(?), what do Testors call them now or have they replaced them with something ...?
Jason
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I didn't know Testors made a satin coat, I've only used the Dull-cote and Gloss-cote, actually use both a lot.
I recently was surprised to find and purchase a single can of Gloss-cote locally at a retail hobby-craft chain but it is my impression that either demand has picked way up or new stock is just not getting manufactured/shipped as it's all mostly been out of stock for months here in the Atlanta area, again at least in "my neck of the woods."
The stocks of many items in the stores is crazy. I work part time for a large home improvement company and I can tell you. that this being out of something is not unusual at during these times of Covid. For instance, 20x25x5" furnace filters, always in stock, we have only received like 10 cases of 2 in a package, a total of 30 sales since March. Plastic electrical boxes, out of all common sizes, so is every one in town. So don't be so quick to blame Testors as who knows what their Covid levels are.
Dick
Dull-Coat can't be found at any of my somewhat local hobby shops or Michaels - out of stock seems to be the rule rather than the exception.
Hobby Lobby seems to always have a full inventory of Testor's paints, including Dull-Coat, and you can easily pull up a 40% off coupon too.
Another item that has been in short supply for almost a year now in many places is a full selection of Balsawood. Again, Hobby Lobby seems to be able to keep their Balsa racks full.
Just don't try to shop there on Sundays
I thought I read somewhere that Testors was discontinuing the rattle-can Dull Cote and most of the Modelling line since being a acquired by Rust-Oleum. Which makes me very sad because I think it's excellent and so convenient to use.
But I was just able to order some more from Hobby Lobby site. We'll see if I get an out of stock email or not.
I've also been able to find the mix bottles for brush or airbrush use.
@WITZ 41 posted:I thought I read somewhere that Testors was discontinuing the rattle-can Dull Cote and most of the Modelling line since being a acquired by Rust-Oleum. Which makes me very sad because I think it's excellent and so convenient to use.
I hope not.
I guess I'll stock up - love that stuff
@Lionelski posted:I hope not.
I guess I'll stock up - love that stuff
That's why I just ordered 10 cans. Hopefully I get them......
There's a lot of styrene model kit builders- cars, militaria and aircraft etc in my area. and my Hobby Lobby is usually always out of Gloss & Dull Cote, but only really since March. I would be truly sad if these coatings were discontinued. Opinion but aside from the yellowing issue you can't beat them for easy refurbishing and cleaning up the appearances of old scuffed up and damaged freight car finishes.
Thanks Atlpete, Gloss-cote ... saved me 10 minutes in a cold garage, no such thing as Satin-cote. Hang on ... have I just had a great idea?
The other day I stopped by our LHS. The Testors paint racks were particularly spotty-to-bare. I knew about their (Rustoleum) discontinuation of a lot of the enamels...military colors, in particular. But the stunner was a sign on the acrylic rack...in effect, 'Rustoleum has discontinued their acrylic line of hobby paints. What you see is what we have. No more.' And enamels?.....dwindling choices.
Weeping, wailing, sackcloth and ashes, self-flagellation.....none of it will change their re-direction, I'm sure. Just another 2020 disaster/obituary for the annual record.
Time to move on....Tru-Color, Scalecoat, Vallejo, Tamiya, Badger, craft paints, etc..
And who knows how much longer any of them will survive? Demand change/fluctuation, new/tightening environmental/OSHA regulations, materials costs/sourcing, legal/insurance costs, etc.,etc.,etc., blah, blah...mixing/purveying hobby paint is probably not an easy ho-hum job for a bunch of displaced bartenders to commit their life savings to.
"Meanwhile, back at the ranch..."
Caution: Spray can clear coats, Krylon one of them, can react, adversely with model paints.
Last time I acquired Railroad Color model paints was from Walthers mail order. Note1: Cold weather, mail order is not good for acrylic paints, even if new in the bottle. Note2: A review of the Walthers site, a lot of, what use to be, is no longer available. IMO, Mike CT.
@Mike CT posted:Caution: Spray can clear coats, Krylon one of them, can react, adversely with model paints.
Last time I acquired Railroad Color model paints was from Walthers mail order. Note1: Cold weather, mail order is not good for acrylic paints, even if new in the bottle. Note2: A review of the Walthers site, a lot of, what use to be, is no longer available. IMO, Mike CT.
Yes they can!...knowing the product line you’re working with is key. Have scrap pieces handy to test spray outs is handy. Krylon’s colormax flat crystal clear is a dead on sheen match to Testors dull coat. BUT one must test compatibility with whatever you’re top coating with. I’ve stopped using Dullcoat ( although I’ve always loved it) in favor of Krylons product, only cause those itty bitty cans of dullcoat seem to last all of 1 or 2 models.....but again, I do a spray out on a scrap car, or scrap loco shell to test compatibility before attempting to top coat the model I’m working on...
Pat
About a year ago Testors announced the discontinuance of the Model Master paint line. That move seems to have decimated their hobby paint lines. What I see being carried in stores like Hobby Lobby and Hobbytown makes little sense to me. Seems like there are a lot of basic colors missing and no rhyme or reason between which colors are carried enamel or in acrylics. Previously they dumped Floquil, Polly S, and Pactra. My guess is eventually they will exit the hobby paint business altogether sometime in the future.
Glosscote and Dullcote supposedly were still going to be made but it seems harder and harder to find. I don't buy the rattle cans preferring to use the stuff in bottles and airbrush it. Testors discontinued the Dullcote and Glosscote thinner some time ago saying to use their "Universal" thinner instead. Fortunately I saw this coming and stocked up over a year ago.
Ken
Thanks for all that Gents. Now, being an Englishman, I've just had lunch(!). I could have put Thai-flavoured sauce on my (Italian) spaghetti? I played safe and had a microwaveable curry with rice. When I painted regularly, the progression of the layers, to avoid wrinkling, etc was: cellulose (auto paint shop), Floquil/Quality Craft, Enamel, water-based. Acrylic didn't exist(?) and I went thru' many years of moving home, forgetting what skills I'd gathered. So OK, I'll try again!?!
I looked up Testors site the other day (on-site Search) and Dull-cote didn't figure. I found a supplier here in the UK who showed they stocked the aerosol cans, but they were out of stock(!). When I asked Google, it put a can of Dull-cote on an image page with a Vallejo jar next to it and many other brands I've never tried either.
Wish me luck at suppertime!
Jason
I rarely use Dullcote anymore having moved to Rustoleum Matte Clear for finishing. I don't use many decals anymore either preferring dry transfers; the Matte Clear works well preparing the surface and sealing those as Dullcote interacted with the dry transfers. The cans of Glosscote I have should last me more than a few years regardless of the past that I build anyway. I have little doubt that someone will be selling a Gloss spray of some sort.
Amazon showed 4 packs Dullcoat in stock last night (6 December). $34US
Time to just go the airbrush route and get the actual finish that you want. I was never happy with either too glossy or too dull....so I would mix both gloss and dull together for a topcoat. Pancake or Airbrush compressors can be found on craigslist very inexpensive.
I just got confirmation from Hobby Lobby that the 10 cans of 1260 Dull Cote are being shipped. I'll see what gets delivered.
I just purchased a can of Dullcote today at Nassau Hobby in Freeport, NY. The new can looks totally different.
I have an older can that clearly says "All Purpose Dullcote-1260 Flat Clear Lacquer" on the front of the can.
At first I thought the salesman handed me something other than Dullcote. The front of the can says "Spray Lacquer" That's it! When I questioned the salesman he showed me the back of the can where a label ON THE CAP states "1260 Dullcote/Capa Embotada" And this is in comparably small print to the earlier can. At the very top of the front label, again in small print, it says "Clear Coat." Shouldn't the front of the can make it clear that this is Dullcote? The original can was made by The Testor Corporation and the new can is made by Rustoleum Corporation. Perhaps that's the answer!
John
I'll blame Californians 
but things may have moved on from aerosol cans kill. Anyway, Testors is not like it used to be over here in England. I'll take SPSF's advice and get my airbrush out. My sons using Vallejo so I'll 'borrow' some of his clear stuff for a start. He did reel off a list of manufacturers who probably weren't born when I first sprayed Floquil in the 70s 
Jason 
My local Hobbytown here in CT carries the new Humbrol line of spray can hobby paints, including gloss, satin, and matte varnish. I’ve not tried the clear but the colors and the grey primer go on very nicely with a smooth finish. Of interest, they are acrylics but adhere to bare plastic quite well. Primarily military colors right now. Probably filling the Testors gap.
Testors still sells dull-cote - you can get it at Walthers.
Joe
@WITZ 41 posted:I just got confirmation from Hobby Lobby that the 10 cans of 1260 Dull Cote are being shipped. I'll see what gets delivered.
Hobby Lobby showed no stock when I checked two days ago, but 12 cans arrived for me from Amazon this morning.
I will second a couple of peoples comments. Testors is getting out of the paint business. This is according to my LHS. Any stock you see anywhere is the last of it. My LHS has switched to carrying Tamiya .
Steve
@RideTheRails posted:I will second a couple of peoples comments. Testors is getting out of the paint business. This is according to my LHS. Any stock you see anywhere is the last of it. My LHS has switched to carrying Tamiya .
Steve
The original Testor's paint co is gone, name bought by Rust-oleum over a year ago - they are continuing the line, at a 25 % increase from the original Testor's pricing.
As to Dull coat, I just came back from the local Hobby Lobby with 3 cans - they had a complete Testor's inventory
@Lionelski posted:The original Testor's paint co is gone, name bought by Rust-oleum over a year ago - they are continuing the line, at a 25 % increase from the original Testor's pricing.
As to Dull coat, I just came back from the local Hobby Lobby with 3 cans - they had a complete Testor's inventory
Is Rustoleum using the Testor name?
@RideTheRails posted:Is Rustoleum using the Testor name?
Yes
“Rust-Oleum” - Matte Clear Enamel is the same stuff as Testers Dullcote.
You can find “Rust-Oleum” - Matte Clear Enamel at a home center or your local hardware store an it works just like Testors Dullcote.
Gary
@trainroomgary posted:“Rust-Oleum” - Matte Clear Enamel is the same stuff as Testers Dullcote
Gary
It can't be exactly the same thing. Dullcote is a lacquer, the Rustoleum is an enamel.
Ken
Hi Ken:
Next time I am at my hardware store I will see if they have the lacquer version. I have been using Rust-Oleum Matt Clear Enamel for years and the end result is the same as Testors Dullcote. If I recall back in my youth we painted some full size cars with lacquer paint to avoid an orange peel finish. We used to buff out the lacquer paint to get a professional look.
I have to use this stuff out in the garage.
Gary
A few years ago I glossed a custom painted (thankfully only one color) locomotive with a "hardware store" can of gloss. I didn't remember the brand it was. The paint crazed and I had to strip again and start over. Never had that happen with Testor's, been leary ever since. Any ideas what happened? The small cans are expensive, but not worth redoing work.
Gray
I've found dusting at a distance with the Dullcote works much better over decals. I could be wrong but I've had some disappointing wrinkly reactions with other rattle can products. Once I get my delivery, perhaps I'll have to try a controlled experiment with some leftover decals and multiple brand products.
When I print decals I used to over spray with Krylon satin clear then switched over to Rust-Oleum 2X Satin Clear because it was easier to get. I don't know if they are lacquer or enamel both worked fine on the decals I print. I use Microscale Micro Sol and Micro Set to place decals. When it comes time to over spray the decal after placement on the structure I use Testors Dullcote. I have not had issues with the compatibility of the sprays used in this process.
Joe
Arrived today. Next time I'll order in increments of 3, since that seems to be how they are boxed.
Familiar can, but as stated by someone earlier they don't say Dullcote. The cap sticker does.
The can without the sticker you can verify with the spray data on the bottom of the can.....1260T
I'm less stressed out for my projects now that I have some on hand. I really do like the results using this the best.
@WITZ 41 posted:Arrived today. Next time I'll order in increments of 3, since that seems to be how they are boxed.
Familiar can, but as stated by someone earlier they don't say Dullcote. The cap sticker does.
The can without the sticker you can verify with the spray data on the bottom of the can.....1260T
I'm less stressed out for my projects now that I have some on hand. I really do like the results using this the best.
I purchase from Walthers - I have to order in qty of 3 - 3 , 6 , 9 since the product is sold only as a 3-pack
I have 12 cans of 1260 Dullcote on the shelf. Message me.
Just came into a large qty of Testors paints. Finishing sprays included Model Master over sprays in both enamel and lacquer as well as the familiar blue label lacquer as shown in previous posts.
Does anyone know what the difference is between the two lacquers, and what difference is there between a lacquer and enamel over spray.
Thanks
Gray Lackey
Everything seems to say no lacquer over enamel, which is what I had always heard in the automotive world. Yet the Testor's colors are enamel and their over spray is lacquer. Used the lacquer over spray many times with no I'll effects. That's why I stay confused concerning paint types.
the general consensus among "pros" is that -
"You can spray enamel over lacquer (after it has dried or "gassed out") but you cant spray lacquer over enamel. The hotter solvents in lacquer will soften the enamel and cause crazing, tiny cracks. You can use something like Duplicolor auto primer or any of the Tamiya flat whites. Always test though on scrap when using two different brands of paint on a plastic kit, especially lacquers."
"Rule of thumb is you apply paint from hottest to mildest. Therefore you apply lacquers first, and then enamels on top. Lacquers will soften and craze or crack and enamel base coat."
"Testor's glosscoat/dullcoat are "cool" lacquers specially formulated for model use. They are not true lacquers in the sense of automotive or commercial lacquers. Be careful using any lacquer on plastic. If too hot it will craze or even melt bare plastic. Always test on a scrap piece first. I have had great success with Testors white lacquer primer or any of the Tamiya surface primers."
I got the above from - https://www.hobbytalk.com/thre...ith-lacquers.367707/
I think the bottom line is:
1. ok to spray enamel over lacquer once the lacquer is cured.
2. not good to spray lacquer over enamel or wrinkling will occur.
3. dullcote is safe because it is not a true lacquer.
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