Cheap, accessible FDE Paint found! Now how to protect it?

Conker · September 7th, 2009, 23:42

Hey guys,

I've finally painted my new AEG with the closest and most accessible paint I could get for FDE: this is Tamiya's "XF-72 Brown (JGSDF)". It's not an exact match; but it's still really close (at least, to the Magpul FDE parts I had for comparison), and actually really easy to find in most hobby shops. You must airbrush it, so it's relativly easy to add a little bit of khaki to it so it's an exact match.

Now, my question: it's a plastic model paint made for display, not for actual "heavy" handling like we airsofters do.

Do you know of any clear matte coating that I could spray on top of it for an additional layer of protection?

Thanks,
Conker

Frozen Tex · September 8th, 2009, 00:55

Krylon Matte Finish Clear-Coat?

Amos · September 8th, 2009, 01:12

Testor's Dullcoat FTW.

Conker · September 8th, 2009, 01:17

Yeah, I've tried the Krylon and even after a 48h wait, it didn't made much difference than without it.

Amos, I understand that you usually use it, right? Any special comment or recommandation with its use, or does it just... works?^^

Amos · September 8th, 2009, 02:07

many thin light coats.. but instead of waiting for it to dry you need to coat it while it's still tacky...

Coat, 10 minute wait, coat, 10 minute wait, coat... then leave to to dry for atleast 5 days...

Also, prep everything by lightly sanding, washing then rubbing down with rubbing alcohol... and don't get your finger-oil on it, wear powderless latex gloves.

Ronan · September 8th, 2009, 02:38

How many coats?
Does it change the color of the paint or add a glossy finish?

Amos · September 9th, 2009, 15:22

Does the paint look different in person? Because this looks nothing like FDE...

As for the Dullcoat, Do about.. 3-5 light coats, and it kills any gloss what so ever.

Conker · September 9th, 2009, 15:39

Yes, it does look different from this sample, but it is not an exact FDE match. It is slightly more brownish that actual FDE (though I prefer this one). To have an exact match, I'dd add about 1/4 of XF49 Khaki.

I say "about", as I still have to test it... But having seen both paints applied separately, so their actual color, it's going to be in that range.

You must note that the FDE sample I had is from clone stuff (clone MBUIS and PMAGs), however according to reviews there is no noticeable difference between the genuine and clone color.

Amos · September 9th, 2009, 18:25

I'm just excited because if it's close enough I'll have a FDE TM MEU

Conker · September 9th, 2009, 19:11

I'll just moved in, but I'll try to find more paint (namely the Tamiya Kakhi which I don't have right now) and I'll let you know how close it is, with which proportions. And borrow someone's camera, as I only have a webcam here.

But in summary, it should be something around:
-1/3 thinner,
-2/3 paint,
-----> 2/3 XF72
-----> 1/3 XF49.

Oh, and if you actually do it, I want pics^^

Amos · September 10th, 2009, 16:10

Conker · September 10th, 2009, 16:16

Yes, according to computer-generated colors and a lighted picture, XF55 seems the closer.

But just take whatever FDE part you have in an hobby shop (I had my stock for comparison) and compare the actual real colors, with the same lightning and all. XF72 was the closest for me.

panzergrenadier · September 10th, 2009, 16:24

Yeah the colors they show on the Tamiya Bottles and on the color charts is usually slightly different then what you get when you've painted stuff... I've been using the Tamiya Paints for years (for models and airsoft) and it's never been exactly the color on the bottle but it does end up matching with whatever you're trying to match it up with...

Conker · October 6th, 2009, 14:48

Alright, after some experiment I got something quite satisfying. It matches my FDE AN/PEQ and my MBUS.

What I used:
-14ml Humbrol "26" Matte
-5ml Modelmaster "FS30117" (Military Brown)
-7ml Testors "1138" Grey
-9ml oil paint thinner

I'm now applying the clear coat.

Hope that helps!
Conker

EagleDriver · October 8th, 2009, 00:51

An alternative is to buy 4oz of Duracoat in Magpul Flat Dark Earth (paint matches exactly) for $16.95 USD. Price doesn't include shipping and they are a bit steep here in the US--like $12.00.

http://www.lauerweaponry.com/item-de...olortype=stock

And spray it on with a $4.95 USD Preval sprayer (available at home improvement stores like Home Depot.).

http://www.prevalspraygun.com/

You mix 12 to 1 paint to hardener (i.e. I mix 1 tablespoon to 1 teaspoon) in the Preval's jar. It is enough to cover 3 pistols or 2 rifles. Plus, it is extremely durable (used on real steel) and doesn't need a protective coat and won't wear off or rub off.

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September 7th, 2009, 23:42	#1
Conker Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada / Ireland / USA	Cheap, accessible FDE Paint found! Now how to protect it? Hey guys, I've finally painted my new AEG with the closest and most accessible paint I could get for FDE: this is Tamiya's "XF-72 Brown (JGSDF)". It's not an exact match; but it's still really close (at least, to the Magpul FDE parts I had for comparison), and actually really easy to find in most hobby shops. You must airbrush it, so it's relativly easy to add a little bit of khaki to it so it's an exact match. Now, my question: it's a plastic model paint made for display, not for actual "heavy" handling like we airsofters do. Do you know of any clear matte coating that I could spray on top of it for an additional layer of protection? Thanks, Conker __________________ WTS: King Arms/Madbull Mk18 Mod1 - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H midcap mags, FDE - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H + PWS rail, FDE WTB/WTT: CSOR gear, BFG, Tyr, Crye, etc

September 8th, 2009, 00:55	#2
Frozen Tex Trader rating Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Yellowknife, NT, Great White North	Krylon Matte Finish Clear-Coat? __________________ Delenda Est Carthago

September 8th, 2009, 01:12	#3
Amos Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan	Testor's Dullcoat FTW. __________________ Custom Builds: FA3674U Krinkov G3SD6

September 8th, 2009, 01:17	#4
Conker Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada / Ireland / USA	Yeah, I've tried the Krylon and even after a 48h wait, it didn't made much difference than without it. Amos, I understand that you usually use it, right? Any special comment or recommandation with its use, or does it just... works?^^ __________________ WTS: King Arms/Madbull Mk18 Mod1 - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H midcap mags, FDE - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H + PWS rail, FDE WTB/WTT: CSOR gear, BFG, Tyr, Crye, etc

September 8th, 2009, 02:07	#5
Amos Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan	many thin light coats.. but instead of waiting for it to dry you need to coat it while it's still tacky... Coat, 10 minute wait, coat, 10 minute wait, coat... then leave to to dry for atleast 5 days... Also, prep everything by lightly sanding, washing then rubbing down with rubbing alcohol... and don't get your finger-oil on it, wear powderless latex gloves. __________________ Custom Builds: FA3674U Krinkov G3SD6

September 9th, 2009, 15:22	#7
Amos Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan	Does the paint look different in person? Because this looks nothing like FDE... As for the Dullcoat, Do about.. 3-5 light coats, and it kills any gloss what so ever. __________________ Custom Builds: FA3674U Krinkov G3SD6 Last edited by Amos; September 9th, 2009 at 15:29..

September 9th, 2009, 15:39	#8
Conker Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada / Ireland / USA	Yes, it does look different from this sample, but it is not an exact FDE match. It is slightly more brownish that actual FDE (though I prefer this one). To have an exact match, I'dd add about 1/4 of XF49 Khaki. I say "about", as I still have to test it... But having seen both paints applied separately, so their actual color, it's going to be in that range. You must note that the FDE sample I had is from clone stuff (clone MBUIS and PMAGs), however according to reviews there is no noticeable difference between the genuine and clone color. __________________ WTS: King Arms/Madbull Mk18 Mod1 - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H midcap mags, FDE - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H + PWS rail, FDE WTB/WTT: CSOR gear, BFG, Tyr, Crye, etc

September 9th, 2009, 18:25	#9
Amos Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan	I'm just excited because if it's close enough I'll have a FDE TM MEU __________________ Custom Builds: FA3674U Krinkov G3SD6

September 9th, 2009, 19:11	#10
Conker Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada / Ireland / USA	I'll just moved in, but I'll try to find more paint (namely the Tamiya Kakhi which I don't have right now) and I'll let you know how close it is, with which proportions. And borrow someone's camera, as I only have a webcam here. But in summary, it should be something around: -1/3 thinner, -2/3 paint, -----> 2/3 XF72 -----> 1/3 XF49. Oh, and if you actually do it, I want pics^^ __________________ WTS: King Arms/Madbull Mk18 Mod1 - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H midcap mags, FDE - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H + PWS rail, FDE WTB/WTT: CSOR gear, BFG, Tyr, Crye, etc

September 10th, 2009, 16:10	#11
Amos Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Japan	__________________ Custom Builds: FA3674U Krinkov G3SD6

September 10th, 2009, 16:16	#12
Conker Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada / Ireland / USA	Yes, according to computer-generated colors and a lighted picture, XF55 seems the closer. But just take whatever FDE part you have in an hobby shop (I had my stock for comparison) and compare the actual real colors, with the same lightning and all. XF72 was the closest for me. __________________ WTS: King Arms/Madbull Mk18 Mod1 - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H midcap mags, FDE - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H + PWS rail, FDE WTB/WTT: CSOR gear, BFG, Tyr, Crye, etc

September 10th, 2009, 16:24	#13
panzergrenadier Trader rating Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sherwood Park, AB	Yeah the colors they show on the Tamiya Bottles and on the color charts is usually slightly different then what you get when you've painted stuff... I've been using the Tamiya Paints for years (for models and airsoft) and it's never been exactly the color on the bottle but it does end up matching with whatever you're trying to match it up with... __________________ Gumbercules!?! I love That Guy!!!

October 6th, 2009, 14:48	#14
Conker Trader rating Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada / Ireland / USA	Alright, after some experiment I got something quite satisfying. It matches my FDE AN/PEQ and my MBUS. What I used: -14ml Humbrol "26" Matte -5ml Modelmaster "FS30117" (Military Brown) -7ml Testors "1138" Grey -9ml oil paint thinner I'm now applying the clear coat. Hope that helps! Conker __________________ WTS: King Arms/Madbull Mk18 Mod1 - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H midcap mags, FDE - VFC Mk17 SCAR-H + PWS rail, FDE WTB/WTT: CSOR gear, BFG, Tyr, Crye, etc

October 8th, 2009, 00:51	#15
EagleDriver Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD USA	An alternative is to buy 4oz of Duracoat in Magpul Flat Dark Earth (paint matches exactly) for $16.95 USD. Price doesn't include shipping and they are a bit steep here in the US--like $12.00. http://www.lauerweaponry.com/item-de...olortype=stock And spray it on with a $4.95 USD Preval sprayer (available at home improvement stores like Home Depot.). http://www.prevalspraygun.com/ You mix 12 to 1 paint to hardener (i.e. I mix 1 tablespoon to 1 teaspoon) in the Preval's jar. It is enough to cover 3 pistols or 2 rifles. Plus, it is extremely durable (used on real steel) and doesn't need a protective coat and won't wear off or rub off.

Cheap, accessible FDE Paint found! Now how to protect it?

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