Old Floquil Colors

[peteski]

Off topic, but still Floquil:  I have a bunch of their paint, most still good, that I haven't used for years.  But I have no thinner for it.  What do those of you with similar stashes thin it with?  I assume acetone will work for cleaning brushes, as it removes almost anything, but I need actual thinner.

We have discussed this back in 2018.  See https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=46059.msg599307#msg599307 . I recommend reading the entire thread.

[Sokramiketes]

That thread doesn't have the easiest solution... Scalecoat II thinner.  John Pitts, a great custom painter, always used Scalecoat II thinner to thin Floquil, and he got me on it. Even when Dio-Sol was still available.   

[DKS]

That thread doesn't have the easiest solution... Scalecoat II thinner.  John Pitts, a great custom painter, always used Scalecoat II thinner to thin Floquil, and he got me on it. Even when Dio-Sol was still available.

For many years I used acetone with good results. I simply could not tolerate the smell of Dio-Sol.

[Dave V]

For many years I used acetone with good results. I simply could not tolerate the smell of Dio-Sol.

I would never call the smell of Dio-Sol "pleasant," though it's about as "nostalgic" in model railroad circles as the smell of smoke oil and ozone in my opinion.  Or Ambroid glue.

[nkalanaga]

Mike:  Thank you!  I actually have some Scalecoat I thinner, and the solvents are the same, only the proportions differ.  I might give it a try, and Scalecoat II thinner won't be hard to get.

DKS:  I can get acetone easily, so might try that as well.

[Sokramiketes]

Mike:  Thank you!  I actually have some Scalecoat I thinner, and the solvents are the same, only the proportions differ.  I might give it a try, and Scalecoat II thinner won't be hard to get.

DKS:  I can get acetone easily, so might try that as well.

Of course.  I think the Scalecoat I is hotter and a little more of a gamble if you're painting plastic.  Having said that, my go to NP Loewy scheme greens are Scalecoat I and I spray directly on plastic passenger cars... carefully and lightly to start!  You should be good.

The Scalecoat II is as much about final surface finish as it is about "working".  (Like acetone will work, of course, but be perfect?) John loved how Floquil laid out on the surface with it, with just the right timing/flash/etc.  I've never seen better painting on a model in person, so I listened intently.  He also used to sand the edges of his decals after applying to a model.

[mmagliaro]

They definitely have enamels if you look at their website.
They also offer a "25 jar custom" set.  You can pick and choose whatever 25 colors you want.
I scoped that out, including shipping to the US, and it works out to $15 per jar.  That's still very expensive.  But after all, they are producing a very rare small-volume product.  Where else are you gonna get 1975 Floquil enamels, new-in-jar?

[mike_lawyer]

How long will Floquil paint last?  I ask because I have some Floquil bottles I purchased just before Testors stopped making it, and I have some loco painting projects in the near future.

[mmagliaro]

How long will Floquil paint last?  I ask because I have some Floquil bottles I purchased just before Testors stopped making it, and I have some loco painting projects in the near future.

I have jars that are older than 5 years, but probably less than 10, and they are ok.  But I have also had jars in that age range go bad.  I think the key is not opening them much, and when you do, wipe the glass rim very clean before resealing.  That seems to help.

[nkalanaga]

Mike:  Yes, Scalecoat I is "hotter", and not recommended for plastics.  But I've used their spray cans successfully on various plastics.  Also, Floquil itself, at least the original formula, wasn't exactly plastic-friendly.

Most of what I use Floquil for now is their Flo-Stain, Driftwood and Foundation, for flatcar and gon floors.  It dries very thin, very flat, and almost indestructible, making it a perfect base for weathering. 

But I still have quite a few bottles of railroad colors, that still look good, and it would be nice to have some thinner, "just in case".