[?] AntonioFP45 - Question About using Future Polish on Alclad Painted Cars

[G Paine]

In a recent discussion, it was mentioned that after the passenger car is painted with the Alclad II paints, Future polish is applied with an air brush. That detail just blew by me in previous discussions, and I have a couple of questions:

• Do you use Future straight from the bottle or thin it? If thinned, how much and with what?
• Do you have problems clogging the air brush when painting?
• How much pressure do you use?
• I assume the air brush MUST be cleaned up immediately after use. What do you use for that and, since Future is clear, any tips on knowing when all the gunk is out of the brush?

 Also, is there a good on-line source to buy the Alclad paints?

[csmith9474]

I use it straight from the bottle.

You will probably have problems with clogging while you are spraying it if you take too much time between spraying. This isn't one of those things where you spray a little bit, take a break and come back to it. It will clog.

As far as pressure goes, I kept a piece of scrap styrene around to test with until I had the right needle setting and pressure setting (I use a Paasche H). I do this because I noticed that I will get either a splattering effect, or too heavy of a coat. I sometimes just do a test spray on my yellow rubber gloves I am wearing to make sure I am getting an even spray. For some reason I want to say I was at around 21psi, or at least that is where I start.

You MUST clean immediately after use. The Future will gum up everything it comes in contact with. I always completely break down my brush after using Future and clean all the parts individually. I have always used Floquil thinner to clean up with since I always have plenty of it around, and it works. There may be a better way , though.

When I last ordered Alclad online, I ordered through Horizon Hobbies (the Athearn folks). I paid retail, but they had great shipping, and for some reason the Alclad was hard to get at the time and they had it.

Here are some pics of cars I have sealed with Future. The paint is Flouquil bright silver and decals are Microscale...

Edit: I hope you don't mind me jumping in on this one.

 

[AntonioFP45]

Hi guys,

CSmith, as always very valuable input. I can't say it any better myself. 

All I can add is that unlike some model paint clears, Future doesn't or "barely" affects the Alclad Chrome's deep sheen, which is quite refective. After applying decals, imho for a realistic appearance (new or a few years old), a modeler can apply gloss or semi-gloss clear on top of the Future.   This will tone down the sheen down slightly.   20 to 25 psi is a good air pressure to work with on a quality airbrush, but as CSMith mentions practice on scrap material first. (Old toy Bachmann and LifeLike boxcars are great to practice on----I've found them at swap meets sometimes for a dollar or two)

Although I have a bottle of Future handy, I've been content to use the acrylic based clears from PolyScale and Badger ModelFlex.  I enjoy taking my time when painting and the Future would definetly put me into "high gear" mode which I'm already in when at work.  I want to relax and have fun when working on models.  

 

 

[csmith9474]

I wasn't trying to steal your thunder Antonio, I just happened to be at the keyboard when he posted the question, although I don't have any experience spraying it on Alclad.

[AntonioFP45]

No, by all means if one has helpful info....Post it! We're all here to help each other

[G Paine]

Thanks to both of you, it is the infornmation I needed. I get a bit concerned when I hear about something recommended that is not intended to be air brushed; it can mean some special procedures to get it done right and not plug everything up.