Best Matte Clear Coat for Running Tanks Outside

[Studiocat13]

Hey Guys,
I'm about to wrap up painting and weathering my new Heng Long Panther G Tank and would like to see what people are using to lock in their work and protect the tank from water when taking the tank outside for a little more realistic weathering, mud and fun !

Thanks in advance,

Brad

[MrChef]

I look forward to see other members advice since I'm new to all of this but,

FWIW since I'm working without an airbrush currently I have the following:

Tamiya TS-80 -full spray on tank body, hull, turret, etc. to seal a hairspray chipping finish, plastic tracks, plastic running gear. Easy to apply, expected spray pattern, dried quickly at 55F degrees with 30% humidity. Holding up well to medium use including wet, snow, mud, cold. Did NOT effect finish or weathering including pigments.

Rustoleum Matte -on Metal tracks. Easy to apply, stupid powerful compared to the little Tamiya can, broad spray pattern but dried decently at 55F degrees and 45% humidity. This stuff did change the finish of the tracks, darkening them which encouraged me to weather them again after application, but is holding up well being metal tracks on grass, dirt, wet, dry, cold, hot BUT NOT what I'd use for a tanks body/hull finish.

Testor's Dullcote -seems to be the defacto, ole reliable, etc. Can't comment yet. I got a box of the stuff because I couldn't locate the Tamiya TS-80. It's next to be used so I'll update results when I can.

Rustoleum Satin -haven't used it yet and likely won't on a tanks finish but it's stupid cheap at Home Depot so I grabbed it when I got the Matte can.

Disclaimer- The Tamiya TS-13 can is only for display purposes, it is a gloss.

[Rubicon99]

Hey Guys,
I'm about to wrap up painting and weathering my new Heng Long Panther G Tank and would like to see what people are using to lock in their work and protect the tank from water when taking the tank outside for a little more realistic weathering, mud and fun !

Thanks in advance,

Brad

Before you weathered the tank did you fully test run it outdoors? HL Panthers and Tigers are notorious for loosing tracks even on modest outdoor terrain. Muddy or damp soil will cause even bigger issues with the Panthers tracks and is not advisable. Real dried mud looks great but unfortunately getting it on a Panthers tracks and road wheels is not worth the price in headaches doing so.

The dull coats above tend to not be totally flat and lean more towards semi gloss. If you can find a dull coat flat that for an airbrush you would be better served if a "dead" flat is what you are looking for.

[Studiocat13]

Before you weathered the tank did you fully test run it outdoors? HL Panthers and Tigers are notorious for loosing tracks even on modest outdoor terrain. Muddy or damp soil will cause even bigger issues with the Panthers tracks and is not advisable. Real dried mud looks great but unfortunately getting it on a Panthers tracks and road wheels is not worth the price in headaches doing so.

The dull coats above tend to not be totally flat and lean more towards semi gloss. If you can find a dull coat flat that for an airbrush you would be better served if a "dead" flat is what you are looking for.

Thanks Rubicon,

I have run the tank quite a bit and have had no issues with tracks so far, even after full disassemble and re-assemble. I will certainly heed your warning from above and don't plan on heavy mud use but again want to lock in and protect my hard work from water. I can also confirm your statement about the Rust -Oleum paint mentioned above and the matte I tried on the bottom of the tank was Semi at best which is why I am looking for alternatives.

[keilau]

USING TAMIYA XF-21 FLAT BASE WITH AN AIRBRUSH

Tamiya XF-21 "Flat Base" is NOT intended to be used as a paint! I've seen numerous posts on forums where someone has used it alone and gotten nothing but a white, chalky finish for their efforts. This result is not surprising since XF-21 is not a clear flat finish.

XF-21 is a Flat BASE. It's intended use is to be mixed with glossy paints to give them a flat finish. It was never intended to be sprayed alone, and must be mixed with something or it will make a mess out of a paint job. I use it a lot with Future Floor Polish to give it a flat finish. For a completely dead-flat finish mix about 4 parts Future to 1 part XF-21. For a semi-gloss or "Satin" finish mix about 6 parts Future to 1 part XF-21. As always you should try this on some scrap to determine the ratio that works best for you.

You do not need a fancy airbrush for this. Any cheap toy store plastic sprayer with a compress air can will do the job. You can use something like this. Only $12.50

https://www.amazon.com/PointZero-Single-action-22cc-Siphon-feed-Airbrush/dp/B004KNHGHS/ref=asc_df_B004KNHGHS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241895369653&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7780152337122471971&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021702&hvtargid=pla-407037410771&psc=1

Some commercial dull coat spray can may be corrosive to decals or even some plastic. Try it on a piece of scrap before using it on your RC model.

[DavidN]

I also used Testors dullcote and Mr. Super Clear matt on my tanks.

[Studiocat13]

USING TAMIYA XF-21 FLAT BASE WITH AN AIRBRUSH

Tamiya XF-21 "Flat Base" is NOT intended to be used as a paint! I've seen numerous posts on forums where someone has used it alone and gotten nothing but a white, chalky finish for their efforts. This result is not surprising since XF-21 is not a clear flat finish.

XF-21 is a Flat BASE. It's intended use is to be mixed with glossy paints to give them a flat finish. It was never intended to be sprayed alone, and must be mixed with something or it will make a mess out of a paint job. I use it a lot with Future Floor Polish to give it a flat finish. For a completely dead-flat finish mix about 4 parts Future to 1 part XF-21. For a semi-gloss or "Satin" finish mix about 6 parts Future to 1 part XF-21. As always you should try this on some scrap to determine the ratio that works best for you.

You do not need a fancy airbrush for this. Any cheap toy store plastic sprayer with a compress air can will do the job. You can use something like this. Only $12.50

https://www.amazon.com/PointZero-Single-action-22cc-Siphon-feed-Airbrush/dp/B004KNHGHS/ref=asc_df_B004KNHGHS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241895369653&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7780152337122471971&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021702&hvtargid=pla-407037410771&psc=1

Some commercial dull coat spray can may be corrosive to decals or even some plastic. Try it on a piece of scrap before using it on your RC model.

Thanks for the info !

[keilau]

Thanks for the info !

The beauty of the TAMIYA XF-21 FLAT BASE is that you can mix it with any color paint you want to use and avoid another layer of overcoat.

If you do want another layer of protective coating in flat or satin, the Future Floor Polish is very cheap and easy to find at Walmart or any discount store. Future is acrylic based and easy to clean up with warm water. It is tough and will not attack plastic.

[keilau]

The beauty of the TAMIYA XF-21 FLAT BASE is that you can mix it with any color paint you want to use and avoid another layer of overcoat.

If you do want another layer of protective coating in flat or satin, the Future Floor Polish is very cheap and easy to find at Walmart or any discount store. Future is acrylic based and easy to clean up with warm water. It is tough and will not attack plastic.

I have provided some very outdated information. I was informed that Future Floor Polish has not been available for many years. Old bottle of Future are being sold on e-bay at radicular high price. The name was changed to Pledge Floor Care in 2014. I am not sure if the Pledge Floor Care is safe to use for plastic modeling. I still have my 27 oz bottle of Future that I paid $5 for.

[Studiocat13]

I have provided some very outdated information. I was informed that Future Floor Polish has not been available for many years. Old bottle of Future are being sold on e-bay at radicular high price. The name was changed to Pledge Floor Care in 2014. I am not sure if the Pledge Floor Care is safe to use for plastic modeling. I still have my 27 oz bottle of Future that I paid $5 for.

No worries and thanks for the update !

[Evan D]

Here’s what I use. Love it and how you can respray over it…

[keilau]

Quick Shine seems to be the replacement for Future/Pledge used by many car modelers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVA_E1vd_Yo

[Studiocat13]

Here’s what I use. Love it and how you can respray over it…

Thanks Evan ! Does this actually dry matte like it says or is it more gloss ?

[Evan D]

Totally matte, looks great.

[Studiocat13]

Totally matte, looks great.

Thanks Evan, I will give this a shot then ! BTW, Are you in the Charlotte area by chance ?

[Evan D]

I am.

[Florida Ranger]

Hi, all of my tanks are handled extensively, as they are driven by the public at the Museum I provide them for. I have found a very easy solution for sealing the PRIMER, paint, & weathering.. I use about 3ml of tamiya x-22 mixed with Lacquer thinner ( 20-30) drops from eyedropper. Through the airbrush( 20psi). Overspray may appear white and dusty, after it is dry the dust will brush off with a large dry paint brush. Here are a few examples too. Good luck! Ken

[Studiocat13]

Hi, all of my tanks are handled extensively, as they are driven by the public at the Museum I provide them for. I have found a very easy solution for sealing the PRIMER, paint, & weathering.. I use about 3ml of tamiya x-22 mixed with Lacquer thinner ( 20-30) drops from eyedropper. Through the airbrush( 20psi). Overspray may appear white and dusty, after it is dry the dust will brush off with a large dry paint brush. Here are a few examples too. Good luck! Ken

Thanks so much Sergeant, and thank you for your service ! Good looking Sherman BTW...Very nice detailing and weathering !

[Florida Ranger]

Here is a vehicle that has been in service for about a year. They get dusty from use! Lol.. not too much issue with sheen if you don’t flood it( light even coats work best when it leaves a very fine texture). Ken

[Studiocat13]

Here is a vehicle that has been in service for about a year. They get dusty from use! Lol.. not too much issue with sheen if you don’t flood it( light even coats work best when it leaves a very fine texture). Ken

Very Nice Sir !! Great looking Panzer ! Is that the Heng Long ?