A "TRUE" Flat Black

[69NovaYenko]

Model Master flat black enamel has been my go-to for ages. However, since Model Master has dropped all it enamel paints from the product lineup I`m looking a comparable replacement. All flat black paints are NOT created equal..just like all white paints are not created equal. If yon`t believe me try touching up something without knowing the brand of the original color....it will give you the blues trying to match the original shade...ask any auto body/paint tech.

Someone suggested Vallejo Flat Black Acrylic Air. I was told that the accuracy of color is spot on & it conveniently comes pre-thinned for airbrush use.

I`m open to all suggestions.

 

[peteski]

Funny that there can be "shades" of black.  Are you worried about the paint being "dead" black in hue, or have a "dead" flat finish, or both?

[Sandboarder]

Not really what your looking for but it’s black and it definitely isn’t shiny, Musou Black.

 

 

Ive just been leaving on flat black parts in Mr Hobby 1500 primer/surfacer. It has the right look for what I’m doing with interiors and chassis.

[Straightliner59]

Humbrol #33. 

[69NovaYenko]

On 2/28/2022 at 10:13 PM, peteski said:

Funny that there can be "shades" of black.  Are you worried about the paint being "dead" black in hue, or have a "dead" flat finish, or both?

Scientifically the pigments ability to absorb light is part of what gives the pigment black "shades".

For example there are some black pigments I`ve used that look black & are label by it`s manufacturer as "flat black" however, once they are dried it has grayish black appearance..not "True Black".  As far as the paint being "dead" black in hue, or have a "dead" flat finish the ideal would be both. Be most importantly I`m hoping to find a new paint that is  "dead" black in hue. 

 

Edited March 4, 2022 by 69NovaYenko

[69NovaYenko]

On 3/1/2022 at 3:04 AM, Straightliner59 said:

Humbrol #33. 

My local hobby shop has a full rack of Hombrol paints for the military modelers..next time I`m there I`ll make a point of picking up a tin and trying it out. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Straightliner59]

11 minutes ago, 69NovaYenko said:

My local hobby shop has a full rack of Hombrol paints for the military modelers..next time I`m there I`ll make a point of picking up a tin and trying it out. Thanks for the suggestion.

You're welcome. It's been my favorite flat black for forty years,  or so! Humbrol makes excellent paint.

[Sandboarder]

2 hours ago, 69NovaYenko said:

Be most importantly I`m hoping to find a new paint that is  "dead" black in hue. 

 

So like my recommendation.......

 

 

 

[mustang1989]

On 2/28/2022 at 9:34 PM, 69NovaYenko said:

Model Master flat black enamel has been my go-to for ages. However, since Model Master has dropped all it enamel paints from the product lineup I`m looking a comparable replacement. All flat black paints are NOT created equal..just like all white paints are not created equal. If yon`t believe me try touching up something without knowing the brand of the original color....it will give you the blues trying to match the original shade...ask any auto body/paint tech.

Someone suggested Vallejo Flat Black Acrylic Air. I was told that the accuracy of color is spot on & it conveniently comes pre-thinned for airbrush use.

I`m open to all suggestions.

 

I use Vallejo Model Air on my aviation builds and it lays down pretty smooth. It does need a flow aid to help out some because this stuff likes to build up on AB needle tips which isn't cool when you've got large areas to work with. A drop of Vallejo AB Thinner seems to work pretty well for that though. 

[69NovaYenko]

1 hour ago, Sandboarder said:

So like my recommendation.......

 

 

 

That Is TRULY "dead" black in hue! Thanks for sharing!

This evening I stumbled across this YouTube clip "Comparing 20 Different Hobby Flat Black Paints To Mosou Black - Which Is Best? Tamiya? Vallejo? "  You may find it of interest.

 

[Sandboarder]

@69NovaYenko please share. I haven’t bought the Mosou paint but I do find it fascinating. Always trying to find new and interesting ways to make my builds fun or interesting. 

[69NovaYenko]

26 minutes ago, Sandboarder said:

@69NovaYenko please share. I haven’t bought the Mosou paint but I do find it fascinating. Always trying to find new and interesting ways to make my builds fun or interesting. 

Here`s the link:

Comparing 20 Different Hobby Flat Black Paints To Mosou Black - Which Is Best? Tamiya? Vallejo? - YouTube

 

[peteski]

Large part of how "dead black" paint is also depends on the sheen.  Truly dead "hue" black will also have dead flat finish.  Paint like that is used in the cameras to create non-reflective surface (like inside of the cameras lens assembly).  No reflection means "it absorbs maximum amount of light",so  it is the "blackest".

But the more flat the finish is, the more fragile it is. It is subject to picking up skin oil or being burnished by even gentle abrasion.

Actually truly dead black paint has no hue, since it absorbs *ALL* colors of visible light.  A "black hole". Absence of all reflected light.

[Dave G.]

Whats wrong with plain Jane Testors square bottle flat black ? Is it not flat enough ?

[Dave Ambrose]

This is very interesting to me, but for a different reason. I'm going to rebuild a telescope I built in the '80s. One of the goals is to reduce the stray light as my original design wasn't nearly good enough. One of the vital  elements is a black, non-reflective paint. The blacker the better. 

[peteski]

14 minutes ago, Dave Ambrose said:

This is very interesting to me, but for a different reason. I'm going to rebuild a telescope I built in the '80s. One of the goals is to reduce the stray light as my original design wasn't nearly good enough. One of the vital  elements is a black, non-reflective paint. The blacker the better. 

I basically did Internet search for "light absorbing paint for optics".

http://light-absorbing-coatings.com/

https://www.acktar.com/

https://www.acktar.com/

https://www.gerdneumann.net/english/instrument-building-parts-teile-fuer-den-fernrohrbau/totmatte-schwarze-optikfarbe-deep-black-optical-paint.html

https://www.nano-lab.com/optical-black-coatings.html    (annoying auto-play)

I didn't mention these earlier because this type of coating is usually not needed for automotive paint applications (either 1:1 or scale  models).  Models (depicting 1:1 black painted surfaces on vehicles) usually require only satin black.

[Dave Ambrose]

3 hours ago, peteski said:

I basically did Internet search for "light absorbing paint for optics".

These are all very high tech coatings, except one. Vacuum deposition is also not feasible. Also, $500 for 150ml of paint probably isn't in the budget either. But -- One of the links suggested chalkboard paint mixed with fine sand. That looks very promising. Thanks!

[peteski]

3 hours ago, Dave Ambrose said:

These are all very high tech coatings, except one. Vacuum deposition is also not feasible. Also, $500 for 150ml of paint probably isn't in the budget either. But -- One of the links suggested chalkboard paint mixed with fine sand. That looks very promising. Thanks!

Well, yes nanotubes-based light absorbing paint might be a bit pricey.   But I did seem to notice that some of those coatings also came in self-adhesive film.  You could probably stick it inside of the telescope's tube.