First, I've come back to modeling after a long break, and I do not claim to have the professional experience or all of the absolute answers. But after building about 5 models recently, I feel that the complete mess that ive gone through on the last couple of cases needs comment. I'm sure that many will disagree.
I realize that there are many tools of the trade that are OMG worthy: Bare Metal, Alclad, PE, etc. Future wax is NOT one of them. My education concerning Future has gone through Swanny's publication, FSM articles, etc, etc, etc. It's benefits include protection, sealant, anti-silvering of decals and more. As for me, Future is for one thing and one thing only: dipping canopies and clear parts in and placing them on a piece of paper towel and letting it sit until it goes on the model.
I have airbrushed future on each model before and after decaling in hopes of achieving that "candy coated" mirror like shine, especially to scale cars. After spending an hour or more stripping the future from my Mustang I am done with it. I had a great shine on a lacquer coat and then came the Future. "Oh yeah, this is gonna really make this shine mile deep" , I thought. Oh no. Please know, as we say in surgery, the enemy of good is better. after giving it a 48 hr dry time I came back to it only to wonder "where the f%^% did the shine go???!!?" Well, it was underneath the future coat. this has happened on 3 cars since March. I don't care if you airbrush it at 40 , 20, 10, or 0 psi, all I can say is good luck.
What is the true miracle compound? Windex, because it strips future. Yes , future is great on clear parts. If you have an enamel or lacquer that looks perfect, LEAVE IT PERFECT. Use MicroSol for decals, it deals with silvering just fine.
From now on my method for autos will be Testors One-Coat( although it takes about 5) Lacquer and Wet Look Clear at the end if you want to take it above the bar.
Hope I didn't offend Future die-hards too badly. And I'm probably doing something wrong but this has been my experience.
Thanks