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"Shinekeeper" - Possible Substitute for Future

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  • Member since
    February 2015
"Shinekeeper" - Possible Substitute for Future
Posted by Bick on Sunday, March 2, 2014 12:42 PM

I wasn't sure where to post this but, as many questions about Future get asked here decided I'd do it here.

I build stick'n'tissue models as well as plastic scale and in a recent post on another site saw reference to the use of Armstrong "Shinekeeper" Floor finish as a substitute for Nitrate Dope (sorry no proper attribution). I wondered if it might be a substitute for 'Future' because Future has been tried/used as a substitute by S'n'N modelers. I bought a quart and here's the label:

Shinekeeper (SK) is not clear like Future but milky translucent like Alclad AquaGloss 600. It seems to me a little more heavy bodied than Future but similar consistency. I didn't have a spare canopy around so took a piece of clear styrene, sanded the surface with 800 grit paper till it was opaque then dipped it in SK. Here is the result:

It dried in about 15 minutes and obviously filled the micro scratches quite well - I think as well as Future. SK is mixable with water or isopropyl alcohol and when diluted with either it airbrushes well. Windex cleaned my AB just fine.

Just some info if anyone wants to try it.

BTW I found the product in a local carpet/flooring shop but Home Depot and Lowes carry it but in 1 Gal size for ~$14.00

  • Member since
    May 2013
Posted by Snibs on Sunday, March 2, 2014 2:00 PM

Would you say this is it? might tell you on the back if its the same factory or ingredients. I'm guessing it is.

www.armstrong-aust.com.au/.../Shinekeeper.html

Can't get future here in Australia so have never tried it but I'm sure from what I hear that Humbrol Clear is the same and I love it but if this is available here then ill just have to try it :-)

Some stuff that might be interesting.

https://sites.google.com/view/airbrush-and-modeling/home

On The Bench.

Tiger 1 and Tooheys.

 

  • Member since
    February 2015
Posted by Bick on Sunday, March 2, 2014 3:59 PM

From your link, it sounds like the same thing 'cross linked metal polymer'. I'll see if I can find more info.

  • Member since
    May 2013
Posted by Snibs on Sunday, March 2, 2014 4:03 PM

Thanks Bick, ill see if I can find it in the shops around here.

Some stuff that might be interesting.

https://sites.google.com/view/airbrush-and-modeling/home

On The Bench.

Tiger 1 and Tooheys.

 

  • Member since
    February 2015
Posted by Bick on Sunday, March 2, 2014 4:19 PM

I just read the label on the container I have and it reads (among all the benefits etc):  "manufactured in U.S.A. for Armstrong".  BTW my airbrushing was on a stick and tissue example and --- brushed on full strength I didn't like it - wrinkles; airbrushed diluted 50/50 with ISO it seemed fine. Future brushed on tissue doesn't work for me either. If you try it let us know what you think.

  • Member since
    December 2011
Posted by Chrisk-k on Sunday, March 2, 2014 9:53 PM

Why would one need Shinekeeper when Future is widely available (at least in the US)?  Based on what I read, I see no advantage of using it over Future.  If Future is not available, MM or Tamiya clear acrylics would be the best bet.

Iwata HP-CS | Iwata HP-CR | Iwata HP-M2 | H&S Evolution | Iwata Smart Jet + Sparmax Tank

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Sunday, March 2, 2014 11:12 PM

Chrisk-k

Why would one need Shinekeeper when Future is widely available (at least in the US)?  Based on what I read, I see no advantage of using it over Future.  If Future is not available, MM or Tamiya clear acrylics would be the best bet.

There was a time when people used to say "Why use Future when XYZ gloss coat is available at every hobby store."

I for one have found several products that are better than Future.  In fact, I used Liquitex Gloss Acrylic Varnish on one of my last builds and it turned out way better than Future.  I did a side by side comparison on an old kit painted with flat paint to see the differences between Liquitex and Future...one wing being brushed over by Future and the other with Liquitex.  The Liquitex wing was noticeably glossier than the Future wing after 2 or 3 coats each.

Don't get me wrong, though, I still have by bottle of Future and I might even use it on my next build.  But this hobby is prone to evolution and new products will de throne old products eventually.

  • Member since
    May 2013
Posted by Snibs on Sunday, March 2, 2014 11:46 PM

Especially if there cheaper. :-)

Some stuff that might be interesting.

https://sites.google.com/view/airbrush-and-modeling/home

On The Bench.

Tiger 1 and Tooheys.

 

  • Member since
    December 2011
Posted by Chrisk-k on Monday, March 3, 2014 11:04 AM

Fly-n-hi,

I see your point.  Since I build mostly armor, I use Future only as a protective layer for oil washes.  I'll keep in mind Liquitex when I need a glossy coat.  

Iwata HP-CS | Iwata HP-CR | Iwata HP-M2 | H&S Evolution | Iwata Smart Jet + Sparmax Tank

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
Posted by Fly-n-hi on Monday, March 3, 2014 7:31 PM

Chrisk-k

Fly-n-hi,

I see your point.  Since I build mostly armor, I use Future only as a protective layer for oil washes.  I'll keep in mind Liquitex when I need a glossy coat.  

Cool!  If you're looking at it strictly from a price perspective then Future definitely gives you the best bang for your buck. 

I've also got a bottle of Alclad II Aqua Gloss that I haven't tried yet.  But its been getting great reviews.

  • Member since
    December 2011
Posted by Chrisk-k on Monday, March 3, 2014 8:11 PM

I bought 3 bottle of Future about a year ago.  I've used probably less than 1/100th of it.  The only thing that I don't like about Future is its smell.  I just hate it. I wear a respirator when shooting Future because I cannot stand its smell.

Iwata HP-CS | Iwata HP-CR | Iwata HP-M2 | H&S Evolution | Iwata Smart Jet + Sparmax Tank

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