Model Railroading > Dull coat / Polly Scale Flat

Any one care to give an opinion on these two flat coatings. I have been using Polly Scale but it's a pain in that it only comes in 1/2oz bottles where as Dull coat is in 1 3/4 oz bottles, they are made by the same company and I'm inclined to think they may very well be the ' same ' product.


Malcolm
New Zealand.

In the past 25+ yrs I have never used Polly Scale Flat and have alway used the Dull coat which I generally use from the spray can.
I believe that the Polly Scale is water base and may be healther to use and if you look at the bottle or spray can of Dull coat it will show that it is volatile and has a solvent base.
All my painting is done just before I leave the layout area and just before I leave I'll sray all any new fgures and vehicles with Dullcoat to take the sheen off of them.

Hal

Hal is right. Polyscale is a waterborne acrylic, and Dulcoat is a lacquer.

I haven't used Dulcoat, but of all the clears I've tried, the only problem I've ever had was with Floquil Flat Finish. Over time, it yellows, and finger oils tend to get absorbed and break down the finish, softening it. Not good for someone like me who was transporting models back and forth to a club layout, and frequently handling the models.

Since the Dulcoat bottle reveals a yellow liquid, instead of the true clears of other flat finishes, I've stayed away.

Hope this helps,
- Arved

I too have had no problems with Dullcoat right out of the spray can.
You just have to learn how to spray and not put too much on.
cf7

I have always used Dullcoat thinned 50/50 with lacquer thinner & applied with an aibrush - seldom are the results not pleasing.

This is, unfortunately, all moot: Polly Scale has discontinued their flat product. When I could still get it, I did prefer the Poly Scale product. Figures...

John Ford

Testors who own Polly Scale still make a clear gloss, semi gloss and a flat in the Acrly line of acrylic paints. this is probably the same thing that they bottled in the Polly Scale brand.

Andre

Andre Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Testors who own Polly Scale still make a clear
> gloss, semi gloss and a flat in the Acrly line of
> acrylic paints. this is probably the same thing
> that they bottled in the Polly Scale brand.
>
> Andre

I contacted Testors for a recommendation on a compatible acrylic clear flat finish to use with PollyScale, and they suggested the very paint you listed above.

They also stated that they are in the process of reformulating the Clear Flat in the PollyScale line, and it will be reintroduced at a later date.

bioyans Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I contacted Testors for a recommendation on a
> compatible acrylic clear flat finish to use with
> PollyScale, and they suggested the very paint you
> listed above.
>
> They also stated that they are in the process of
> reformulating the Clear Flat in the PollyScale
> line, and it will be reintroduced at a later date.

Excellent update. Thanks. I wonder why they are reformulating their Polly Scale Flat. What little I've used of it, I have not had any issues.
Maybe that is just a nice way of saying they are discontinuing it. Hoping for the best.

Cheers,
Harry

tracktime Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> bioyans Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > I contacted Testors for a recommendation on a
> > compatible acrylic clear flat finish to use
> with
> > PollyScale, and they suggested the very paint
> you
> > listed above.
> >
> > They also stated that they are in the process
> of
> > reformulating the Clear Flat in the PollyScale
> > line, and it will be reintroduced at a later
> date.
>
> Excellent update. Thanks. I wonder why they are
> reformulating their Polly Scale Flat. What little
> I've used of it, I have not had any issues.
> Maybe that is just a nice way of saying they are
> discontinuing it. Hoping for the best.
>
> Cheers,
> Harry

Here's the text of the email they sent me:

Dear Mr. XXXX:

As of right now the PollyS Flat Finish is being reformulated. We have every intention of having this product available again but unfortunately do not have a release date as of yet.

I am going to suggest the Model Master Flat Clear Acrylic #4636 http://www.testors.com/product/136694/4636/_/Flat_Clear_Acryl_Acryl_-_1oz._Bottle

I am going to put the letter about the Floquil/PollyScale Line below for you and also attach our new Cross Reference chart.

Thank you for contacting us regarding our Floquil/PollyScale line. Recently, we have made some changes to our line and have discontinued product based on market trends. We apologize for any inconvenience we have caused but can assure you that we do have recommended replacements.

While we have discontinued the Floquil Military Model Colors, we do recommend our Model Master branded Military Colors. While most all hobby shops stock this product, it can also be purchased on our website at www.testors.com

We are also making some updates to our Floquil and Polyscale Railroad Line. Both formulations will remain in our line, however we will be making some updates to color selection. Should a color be discontinued, we can offer recommendations. Attached is a cross-reference chart will also be available soon on our website for your convenience in identifying a replacement product. If you are unable to find this product at your local hobby shop, it can also be bought on line at www.testors.com.

Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and are very grateful for your loyalty to the PolyScale / Floquil Brands. We hope that we can continue to be the supplier of choice for your hobby needs.

Please let me know if we can assist you in any way.

Sincerely,

Beth



Testors Customer Service Department
1-800-837-8677 (1-800-testors)
M-F 8:00 A.M - 4:00 PM CST

bioyans Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> tracktime Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > bioyans Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > > I contacted Testors for a recommendation on a
> > > compatible acrylic clear flat finish to use
> > with
> > > PollyScale, and they suggested the very paint
> > you
> > > listed above.
> > >
> > > They also stated that they are in the process
> > of
> > > reformulating the Clear Flat in the
> PollyScale
> > > line, and it will be reintroduced at a later
> > date.
> >
> > Excellent update. Thanks. I wonder why they
> are
> > reformulating their Polly Scale Flat. What
> little
> > I've used of it, I have not had any issues.
> > Maybe that is just a nice way of saying they
> are
> > discontinuing it. Hoping for the best.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Harry
>
> Here's the text of the email they sent me:
>
> Dear Mr. XXXX:
>
> As of right now the PollyS Flat Finish is being
> reformulated. We have every intention of having
> this product available again but unfortunately do
> not have a release date as of yet.
>
> I am going to suggest the Model Master Flat Clear
> Acrylic #4636
> http://www.testors.com/product/136694/4636/_/Flat_
> Clear_Acryl_Acryl_-_1oz._Bottle
>
> I am going to put the letter about the
> Floquil/PollyScale Line below for you and also
> attach our new Cross Reference chart.
>
> Thank you for contacting us regarding our
> Floquil/PollyScale line. Recently, we have made
> some changes to our line and have discontinued
> product based on market trends. We apologize for
> any inconvenience we have caused but can assure
> you that we do have recommended replacements.
>
> While we have discontinued the Floquil Military
> Model Colors, we do recommend our Model Master
> branded Military Colors. While most all hobby
> shops stock this product, it can also be purchased
> on our website at www.testors.com
>
> We are also making some updates to our Floquil and
> Polyscale Railroad Line. Both formulations will
> remain in our line, however we will be making some
> updates to color selection. Should a color be
> discontinued, we can offer recommendations.
> Attached is a cross-reference chart will also be
> available soon on our website for your convenience
> in identifying a replacement product. If you are
> unable to find this product at your local hobby
> shop, it can also be bought on line at
> www.testors.com.
>
> Again, we apologize for any inconvenience this has
> caused and are very grateful for your loyalty to
> the PolyScale / Floquil Brands. We hope that we
> can continue to be the supplier of choice for your
> hobby needs.
>
> Please let me know if we can assist you in any
> way.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Beth
>
>
>
> Testors Customer Service Department
> 1-800-837-8677 (1-800-testors)
> M-F 8:00 A.M - 4:00 PM CST

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing that. I've got enough of Polly S for my needs for now, so I'll wait and see how the line evolves. As for Floquil, I'm no longer using Floquil, and haven't for years now. On the other hand, Polly S is critical for my "non-vital" painting (freight car truck sideframes, wheels, couplers, structures and for certain locomotives and cars).

Cheers,
Harry