I have heard of modelers using this product either airbrushed or handpainted on for a smooth surface for decals. But what about as an exterior clear coat to acheive a realistic glossy finish?
I know most experienced model painters say to use a satin clear coat and not a gloss, as the gloss on models looks too thick. (Some liken it to putting syrup on your model.)
Would the Future give a glossy coat without having a too thick look and also hide decal sheen? And if so, would it be durable like a standard paint and not yellow?
I use it as a gloss coat under decals and as a finish coat over decals, but I mix it 5;1 or 4:1 with Tamaiya flat base (4 or 5 parts Future).
Military modelers have been using it as a gloss coat and finish coat for years.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
EVERYTHING you wanted to know about using Future wax as a clear gloss coat!!
http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html
For those MRR's not in the US there is some good reading on where to get it and what it is called elsewhere
ratled
Modeling the Klamath River area in HO on a proto-lanced sub of the SP “The State of Jefferson Line”
Thanks, I read the entire Swannys Models page and came away with the impression that the Future can produce a nice semi-gloss finish as an overcoat but if you want a high gloss finish, you'll need to mix it with "Simple Green". This is mentioned towards the end of the page.'
Of course, I would like to see examples of both. Seeing is believing as one modeler's opinion of what looks good may not be the same as another's. I would like to have my passenger cars look like they are washed and repainted once in a while not flat. I don't model the Penn Central era.
While a well maintained car may not be flat, it doesn't have a high gloss finish either. I use what I call a semi-gloss+ finish. It's glossier than satin but not quite as shiny as gloss. A gloss looks toy-like to me, backing off a bit seems to strike the right balance.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
I have found Future Floor FInish to be an excellent base for decalling. Further It is the BEST , in my humble opinion, for installing glazing in windows, as it also hides the little srcatches that are almost impossible to avoid when using plastic "glass."
I simple place the glass in position and flow on the Future with a soft brush. It sticks in about 2 min and is handleable after 4 or 5.
can anyother floor wax like mop and glo be used?rambo1...
Just to be clear (no pun intended) , Future is an acrylic coating, not a "wax". It is compatible with many acrylic paints.
I've done a few engines for one customer who wanted a "fresh out the paint shop door" gloss. The Future finish worked perfect. The great thing with the Future is that it doesn't build up as much as enamel clears. The only downside when airbrushing it is that there's a very fine line between the stuff flowing out nicely and running ! It HAS to go on wet else it won't flow together, but too wet and it will be running off the bottom.
Practice on something not too important first. If it goes bad, it can easily be washed off clean using any ammonia-based cleaner (I use a spray bottle of Windex with ammonia - spray it on and wash it off), but don't wait until it's dry.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Good responses above.
One important thing to remember: FLUSH OUT your airbrush as soon as you finish applying Future as it will gum up inside. A mix of 70% alcohol and distilled or soft water works nicely.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Mark:
Do you have a photo on your site of a loco in the "fresh out out the shop door gloss" using the Future
Incidentally, my recollection of well maintained passenger cars seen in person on in photos is that you can actually see reflections in the paint.
wabash2800 Mark: Do you have a photo on your site of a loco in the "fresh out out the shop door gloss" using the Future
On my site under the listing of customer's engines, go to the miscellaneous section and check out the Allagash M420's in green and yellow, these two were both cleared with Future.
That green and yellow looks vaguely familiar....now where have I seen that before...
As for Future - perhaps some are too young to remember the commercials, I haven't seen the product advertised for years, but I remember how they used to tout it as an acrylic finish unlike other products that would leave a heavy buildup on your floor. Doign a quick search I found a few old commercials on Youtube. Also someoen who tried it on their boat and hated it - but I think they used the wrong thing. It appears there is plain Future still available, and also "Pledge with Future" which I do not think is the same thing as pure Future.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker ...also "Pledge with Future" which I do not think is the same thing as pure Future. --Randy
...also "Pledge with Future" which I do not think is the same thing as pure Future.
Actually, according to this website (cited in an earlier post), it is the same thing. I have a bottle of it at home and have used it a few times with decent results.
I've actually used it more on some wooden toy projects I've made for my 3-1/2 yr old with outstanding results. I made him a large airplane and a bunch of wooden Thomas-type rolling stock. After painting them with cheap craft paint, I airbrush the heck out of them with Future, laying on a super thick coat. It leaves a nice smooth, glossy, durable finish.
I have noticed that when I use it on wood, it leaves a nice, super-smooth finish. My limited experience with using it on plastic models resulted in a rougher, not-as-smooth finish. Maybe it has something to do with the Future soaking into the porous wood, or maybe it's because I'm not putting enough on the plastic models because I'm afraid of over-doing it. I think I just need to practice a little more on plastic to refine my technique. If anybody else has had a similar experience w/ plastic, I'd be interested to hear how you resolved it.
Dan Stokes
My other car is a tunnel motor
The best trick I've found to airbrushing Future is to only spray horizontal surfaces. Spray one side holding it horizontal then hit it with a hair-dryer - it will "kick-off" in about fifteen seconds, now spray the other side and hit it with the hair-dryer. Keep repeating this painting each side horizontally. This will allow you to get a wet coat down which is really important for the Future to flow together. If you don't get adequate coverage for it to flow, you WILL get a rough finish.
rrinker ...and also "Pledge with Future" which I do not think is the same thing as pure Future. --Randy
...and also "Pledge with Future" which I do not think is the same thing as pure Future.
According to the SC Johnson CO's site's Q & A section :
"
"I'm trying to find Future® Floor Wax. Is it still available? – John from L.A."
Glad to hear from you, John! The Future® Floor Polish product was renamed under the Pledge® brand in November of 2007. It is now Pledge® Premium Finish with Future® Shine. Don't worry – it is still the same great Future® formula, just a new name and still provides that durable, long lasting shine. You should be able to find it in your local grocery or home needs stores but if you still have trouble, please call our Consumer Relationship Center at 1-800-558-5252 for more details. "
That should clear up the name details. Had I not looked this up I would have been looking for "future" Not "Pledge premium finish with Future shine" and would have driven myself nuts over it!
I also found htis tidbit which may help with those pesky passenger car plastic wilndows:
http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2005/09/stuff_eng_tech_canopies.htm
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Mark: Thanks for the link. The M420s look great. However from that vantage point they don't look glossy but I am sure they are.
I saw on "Working on the Railroad" (DIY network) to use Future Wax for water. I used it for a pool and it work great. Just have to pour it real thin coats or it take forever to dry.