Future, And Clearcoat, Should We?

keavdog

Love that build Ernie.

 

Thanks John!

Love that build Ernie.

My bottle of Future is quite old, at least 20 years old but it’s clear as water. In all the years Ihave used Future going back past 10 years I never experienced the finish yellowing with time. 

I still use it as a PE adhesive and brushed on for decal application on military models that get dull coated. I discovered AK Gauzy Shine Enhancer which sprays on super smooth and glossy so that is my go to for eveything including metallics like Alclad that remains reflective after application.

I'm in the UK, I use a Plasti-Kote spray can of Clear Gloss and have used it for years. I don't know of Future here in the UK, but think that a gloss clear paint product a better idea.

Eaglecash867

For me, Future makes a fantastic adhesive for small, clear parts, and small photoetch parts that have a relatively large, flat surface for mounting.  Nothing else is more transparent and visually forgiving of placement errors.  I know a lot of people say the same thing about white glue, but it really doesn't even come close.  Aside from that, I don't like the stuff at all for clearcoating, because of that yellowing you mention...and the newer formulation also has problems with developing cracks in it in just a matter of days.  I stick with my MRP lacquers for clearcoats.  I build mostly Cold War era military aircraft, and the overall sheen on those isn't uniform in real life due to environmental conditions and airflow over the airframe, so I try my best to mimic that "splotchy" effect on my builds.

 

I tried with much effort to like using Future but everything Eaglecash said is dead on how I feel about it. I love it for gluing clear parts and maybe adding a gloss to small parts... but that is it. I gave up using it as an overall clear. Cracking was a major issue. 

  OOH the Future!! Thought we had put that to rest....  You still think about it? he-he!

  John, you seem to have it to perferction! As Pops said, shiney indeed but not overdone such as the 'chrome' color wraps on 1:1 vehicles. I've tried it with too many disapointing results, gave up on it...  Is it one of those things that a person will get it or not get it no matter how much practice?

Yes, John!     

           I would say so. BUT, here's the thing, althought shiny they don't look like wet paint either. Just nice hard gloss. By the way are the engines running on those two Pony Cars or is that a trick of the Camera? The Yellow lights are showing up brightly. 

        I would say a nice Trio too, A Mustang, Challenger and Charger! What else besides an understanding Wife does a fellow need? Mine had to deal with Studebakers and Ski Boats. I was always trying to resurrect something! Oh, and a good solid Brewski!

My worth.

I use Future brushed on over areas where decals will be applied to make a smooth surface. Most of my builds are WWII planes and sailing ships so a dullcoat is applied after the decals are placed and set. I have used Future to put a glossy coat on some cars and other models requiring a shiny surface with no problems of yellowing or getting sticky. My bottle of Future is quite a few years old and I have noticed that it takes longer than 24 hours to cure completely. That may be the reason for some cases of the finish not curing quickly enough.

Stay Safe.

Jim 

I do not use Future as a gloss coat,I just prefer modeling products currently Alclad Aqua Gloss for decals.

My cars are shiny

But build and finish how you like

For me, Future makes a fantastic adhesive for small, clear parts, and small photoetch parts that have a relatively large, flat surface for mounting.  Nothing else is more transparent and visually forgiving of placement errors.  I know a lot of people say the same thing about white glue, but it really doesn't even come close.  Aside from that, I don't like the stuff at all for clearcoating, because of that yellowing you mention...and the newer formulation also has problems with developing cracks in it in just a matter of days.  I stick with my MRP lacquers for clearcoats.  I build mostly Cold War era military aircraft, and the overall sheen on those isn't uniform in real life due to environmental conditions and airflow over the airframe, so I try my best to mimic that "splotchy" effect on my builds.