Future over NMF?

I'm not saying that its "best" to finish with a flat coat over the Alclad II...I'm just saying that I haven't had problems doing it.  I think that its best not to put a flat coat over the Alclad II if you can do it that way.  I think, ideally, it would be best if you could figure out how to finish the spine and tail without coating the NMF.

For example, you could use post-it-notes or something that has very low tack to mask off the NMF so you don't run the risk of lifting any decals.  Then use a gloss coat that you can spray through the airbrush so you have better control over the spray.  Don't use the canned stuff.

Another better method you could try is to use a steady hand and brush some Future onto the areas that need the semi-flat.  One thin coat of Future will not look too glossy.  This might be the best way to go about it.  I just used this technique on an F/A-18E that I built recently.  The spine of the fuselage needed to be glossy black while the the rest needed to be flat grey.  I could't mask with all the decals so I just brushed on the Future and it looked really good.

so it is best to finish with a flat coat over the alclad+decals? The spine and tail on the lightning need a semi flat coat, is it ok to cover the various shade of alclad in this too with out ruining the metal finish? i always tought you could not coat a metal finish (shows what a noob i am )

I've had good experiences with gloss coats over Alclad II followed by a flat coat.  I've done it with Steel and Aluminum and in both cases they looked unaltered by the overcoats.

I have used the MM Metalizer sealer, and it is very similar to Future aside from not being an acrylic. When I did use that stuff over the Metalizer, it does tend to degrade the Metalizer finish/effect. Decals will not silver over Metalizer, but they do not get the same smooth look as those that are done in the more traditional method of gloss undercoat and then a final topcoat.

MM Metalizers have a relatively weak surface and sealing is the recommended step for this product. MM make a sealer specific to the task to make it more durable against fingerprints etc.  Notice I said "more" durable.  Whether Future is an adequate substitute I cannot say.

I have found the surface of any of the Alclads i have used as being smooth enough for decals to not silver.

i need the same advice about clear/future/whatever over alclad before/after decaling, so c'mon guys give as a hand.