Hey Guys and Ladies!
I am in somewhat a quandry. I see all these articles and photos of Cars and Planes ad infinitum. One thing stands out. What you use the titled materials for. Some folks use Future for clearing Canopies, Windows, and gloss coating the model if it requires it. Now other's of you Clearcoat the whole thing, put on your Decals and then Semi or Dullcoat the whole thing.
The reason for the quandry? I have been building models for longer than some of you have been alive. I have always had problems with some decals. Why? Well, either they were to thick, brittle or the adhesive they have wasn't sticky enough and when totally dry just proceeded to fall off.
I can see where a coat of Future, either through the much lauded Airbrush or with a real high Quality real Brush can work. On the other hand at contests I have seen Autos and Planes with an Unbelieavable Gloss that in real life wouldn't even exist, even in Museums! Before you go off on me, remember, I used to collect and Show Studebakers and fly Warbirds. So I know of what I speak.
I have also seen and experienced the downside of both proceedures. What? Oh! You Bet! I have model Airplanes and Cars that are boxed up, in the dark of my storage area. Why? Well, either the Clearcoat or the Future Yellowed or in one case Got sticky after a few years on display and no matter what I did, It wouldn't go back to non-sticky condition. A paint, clearcoat reaction? Who knows? But I do know that one of my really Beautiful(To Me Anyway) airliners remains off display to this day.
So I ask with curiosity. Is this vaunted clear-coating really necessary? I have seen airliners up close and personal after they have been washed and cars too.They do NOT look as shiny as their model counterparts I have seen at shows. Parting Thought. We are building Models right? Not going to a Jewelry, Bling Show, right? Build to your standards and remember what is correct to you may not be what I would do. Build it anyway, Your Way, and don't pay any attention to me, I was just wondering out loud, that's all!