Reviews : Tamiya Acrylic X21 Flat Base 3/4 oz

In case it isn't obvious from the description or the other reviews, this isn't a paint, but an additive which flattens glossy paints. I've only used it with Tamiya's X-22 Gloss Clear, and the results have been acceptable. I needed a lot of dull coat, so I mixed some of this into a nearly full 23ml jar of X-22, and it took quite a bit to flatten it out to the level I needed. Just a little and the results were more a of a satin finish. Unfortunately, because it takes so much to deaden the shine, it tends to make the paint a little milky-looking, which slightly lightens any colors over which it's applied. This tends to happen a little with just about every other flat clear I've used, but it seemed more pronounced with the X-21/X-22 combo. I really wish Tamiya had a 23ml bottle of their XF-86 Flat Clear, but since they don't, it's either this combo or another brand's offerings.

Don't use this as flat paint. It is a flat base to be mixed sparingly with other Tamiya paints to create the sheen you want. I mix 5:1 gloss paint to flat base to create a matt sheen that is between semi gloss and flat. Like egg shell sheen. Experiment first to get the desired effect.

Tamiya makes the hobby paint on the planet. Its so easy to work with. The coverage is awesome. At first, coming from Testors, I was hesitant because Testors is so thin and barely covers. Once I used it, it was a game changer. I will be switching all my paints to Tamiya.

I USE THIS PRODUCT ALONG WITH FUTURE FLOOR POLISH TO MAKE MY OWN DULLCOTE.