gloss or flat cote over metalizer finish?

DON'T USE MM METALIZERS... It looks great but handling just applying your decals will ruin it. I've had that experience (read my topic beneath). I even bought the sealer and it screwd the finish. Go Alclad II, I've read great reviews on these laquers. They require more work: first prime (future), then gloss black overall and finally Alclad. Some extra work but outstanding and, the most important, durable finish. You can mask it, and handle it at will, it won't peel or rub

Yep, use either Future or thinnly applied Metalliser Sealer. If the Sealer is applied too thick it looks like a thin clear coat, thus ruining the effect.

I'm just discovering metalizer paints myself, and after a few experiments I think Testors metalizer "sealer" applied in as few THIN or LIGHT coats (meaning one if you can get away with it) as possible looks pretty good, or very nearly as natural as the original. You might try sealing before decaling as ANY wiping or dabbing will rub off at least some paint.(unless you want to "buff" that section anyway) But then there is the risk of losing some finnish due to more coats of sealer. I reccomend Testors sealer for Testors metal paint because it is formulated specifically FOR their paint. (so they tell me)

I think Metalizer is smooth enough to not silver decals, so I wouldn't use a gloss coat for decal prep. Overcoating after is a matter of taste. You might try painting a scrap model with Metalizer, then try dofferent overcoats in different areas to see how they affect the finish.

I guess what I'm really worried about is loosing the metallic finish or look. I want to use the gloss and flat coats to seal the decals.

I do love the look of the metalizer paints, I'd hate to ruin them.

A number of people tell me that the only place they put a clear finish over the Metalizer is where the model will be handled, as most finishes reduce the realism of the Metalizer. I've been using SNJ recently, with good results, as it seems to be more resistant to handling, but it doesn't have the wide range of colors of Metalizer. Alclad II might be the solution to the problem of a tough, realistic metal finish.

I don't think Future will 'ruin' the metalizer finish, but it might change the appearance of it. Some guys are *really* picky about how their specific metal finish looks and putting future over it might make it too artificial or take away from the intended look they were going for. Likewise for a dull-coat. It will certainly change the way the metalizer looks, but definitely won't 'ruin' the paint.

If this appeareance or metalic sheen is an important issue for you, you should spray a test piece and see how it looks before going ahead on the complete model.

M.

Future will not ruin your metal finish