Clear coating

Ok so I had a quick look at the Coles near me and no good! They stopped selling it for some reason. The closest I could see was pledge wood magic floor polish or something but I don't think that would work well.

Bearcat, I totally understand about shooting Future through an AB. I've had less than acceptable results with it myself before. One thing to consider if you ever want to use it again especially if you need an emergency alternative is you can also brush it on. I find myself doing that more often than with an AB particularly if I'm glossing parts too small to justify using an AB. It levels itself perfectly. You just need to make sure you use an appropriately sized brush, don't load it up with too much at once, and apply it with as few strokes as possible. You may even need to apply more than one coat but I've brushed it on before and ended up with a gloss coat as smooth as glass. Not trying to talk you out of using what you are comfortable with. Just something to think about if you ever find yourself in a tight spot and Future is the only thing you can get your hands on.

cheers,i also use Humbrol clear but i guess i was looking for future because i assumed it would be much better value.The coles stores i have checked in NNSW do not carry it,as don't Bunnings,woolies,mitre10 and 1/2 a dozen small hardware and furniture stores.I have asked managers and staff that do the ordering in all of the above to no avail.My next option i guess would be to ring J&J and ask them direct "if they supply that product to any retailers in my area"but thought i would try here 1st.

Bear,i am surprised to read that even before the changed formula that you didn't feel that it was all that crash hot anyways. In all the articles or "how to"guides i have read or watched,"future floor polish"seems to be most mentioned product.

i have heard good things about the humbrol clear too. maybe ill try it myself as i am not keen on kleer/future either.

I'm from Victoria and I'm pretty sure I got some pledge floor polish from the Coles near me a while ago, I don't have the original bottle anymore just a small amount in a container.  If you guys want I can confirm it when I go there next I'm sure they still have it. I don't really use the stuff much I just use it to dip clear parts in. I normally use tamiya clear gloss but I'm looking for another good flat clear to use.

Don't bother looking, I live near Coffs Harbour and Future and its aussie equivalents (Pledge) can't be found BUT Humbrol Clear is identical as far as I can tell. I use it  for many things including a base for Alclad. Have a look at it on the Humbrol website, it does  everything they claim including using a brush to apply it, you can't tell it was brushed on. Its a gloss coat but you need several coats to get that deep sheen gloss so one coat hardly shows which is handy for matt. Humbrol Clear is available local here in Coffs but if you want to hunt down the floor polish this site should help.

www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

Hope that helps.

Cheers from Mick.

i am having big trouble locating "future floor polish" or "clear" or any other product from J&J that may be the legendary stuff.I live on the east coast of Australia and have check every major store in the last 2 years.Does anyone know if they supply it here and what the call it if not"future floor polish"i have found another product from them that is some 5 in 1 type thing but it is def not it.

Ok that sounds easy enough. Thanks for all the advice!

It's acrylic so you can clean it the same way you would acrylic paint. Although it isn't recommended because of the ammonia, I use Windex to clean my airbrush after using acrylic paint but I ALWAYS SPRAY WATER through it afterward. But you should be able to use whatever other cleaners you normally use in an airbrush for acrylic paint.

I have tried using future but only via brushing by hand for small areas. I should give it a go through the airbrush. What's the difference between future and model branded clear coats besides cost? Is there any particular method to clean it out of the airbrush once used or just as normal with spirits or thinner.

Thanks

Have you ever tried Future floor polish for gloss clear coating? It doesn't need thinning for airbrush and if brushed on by hand will level itself perfectly as long as you keep brush strokes to a minimum. It's quickly replacing any other gloss clear coat I've used.

Ok well I just tried the X-22 on my Jagdtiger. It was a bit of a pain thinning it so it was coming out smoothly but I eventually got it done. From what you are saying it would be a whole lot easier trying those other brands that don't need thinning which sounds good to me!

This is my first armour model build so I'm trying all new techniques in painting and weathering. The whole applying gloss clear to apply decals and washes, then apply it again to seal them,  then applying a Matte clear again to take away the gloss seems so laborious. Is this the right way to do it? I also want to use Mig Productions wet, oil and rust effects during the weathering and am not sure at which stage to apply them. I'm afraid that if I spray any clear coat over them it will hide their effects. By any chance would you have some hints?

Thanks for all you help I appreciate it.

-Theo

Its nice stuff, thinned 50/50 (approx) with X20a thinner. Never had an issue with it reacting with anything. I tend to use either alclad clears or zero paints 2k clears now.