Future and Dullcote layers airbrushing rough.

I've sprayed Future with 3 different airbrushes (Iwata HP-CR, Iwata HP-CS and Paasche H) and it always sprays very well.  Did you buy the right version of Future (or Pledge)?

I hadn't thought about that as I assumed I had the right stuff... It's a blue label called "Pledge with Future Shine - Premium Floor Finish"  I see it on a lot of hobby sites.  This is an old bottle but it there's no indication that it's bad.  I should buy a new one just to be sure.

My airbrush SEEMS ok it's a gravity fed one like the Eclipse HP-CS.

From what I've read, this finish can be the result of the droplets drying in midair before they hit the surface... just spit-balling here so any ideas would be helpful.  I'm working to improve my technique as I get back into this.

Thanks again, Tom

I don't have much experience with spraying Future, i normally only use it for dipping, but what you're describing definitely sounds like the mix is drying too soon.

I'd just try to spray a little closer and see if that makes a difference.

I've only used Dullcote from the rattle can and never had an issue.  Spray from around 30cm (ie 12 inches) away it it always worked fine. Went on nice and wet and smooth, then dried nice and dull.

My first attempts at spraying Pledge were not that great, the coats seemed to be a bit "pebbly," sort of like a mini golf ball surface. I played with a bit and found that thinning with various items helped, water, Windex, etc. With water and thinned a good bit, I had a finish that went down smooth and quickly, it reminded me of a well thinned MM enamel or Tamiya acrylic. I recall thinking it was just a bit too thick, straight from the jug. I didn't try alcohol, that might also work. I sprayed at about 15 psi and did stay close to the surface, perhaps 4 inches or so. Medium tip/needle, Badger 100G

I second the MM clear lacquer, newer small round bottles, not referring to the old Glosscote/Dullcote square bottles. It required a bit of adjusting for thinness, but laid down really a good finish that I was happy with. Comes in gloss or flat, I like it very well.

Patrick

patrick206

I second the MM clear lacquer, newer small round bottles, not referring to the old Glosscote/Dullcote square bottles. It required a bit of adjusting for thinness, but laid down really a good finish that I was happy with. Comes in gloss or flat, I like it very well.

Patrick

Is the above mentioned MM clear an acrylic or an actual, lacquer-based product?   I use MM clear flat acrylic when I need a flat finish and it works well for me.

Gary

"Pledge Floor Care Multi-Surface Finish" is the right stuff.

Once again, thanks to everyone for your advice... it's very much appreciated.  So I've been practicing with this and I dialed down the pressure, to the 15 psi range, and moved a little closer.  I'm trying to get a good indirect light on the surface so I can see the coverage.  My goal is to get the surface wet, so that it can self-level and be smooth, but not so wet that it runs.

I'm pretty convinced that I was spraying with too much pressure, i.e. too fine a mist and a little too far away.  This allows a little drying before the liquid hits the surface and that gave me the rough surface.

I spray Future with my Iwata HP-CR or HP-CS @15-20psi, about 4-5 inches from the target surface. Don't be alarmed if the surface looks too wet. Future self-levels wonderfully.

Gary - Sorry for the delayed response. I wondered about it myself, "is it a true lacquer, or not." Experience tells me enamel over lacquer is OK, lacquer over enamel not. I emailed Testors, they responded quickly, it's a finish that can be safely applied over enamel. That didn't make it clear in my mind, is it lacquer or not?

I e-mailed again, is it lacquer or not? They wrote back, "we call it a lacquer, but it can be safely sprayed over enamel."

Now I didn't know any more than when we started. In a final query I asked simply, is it lacquer, or not.? That answer was, "since many consider a final clear finish to be called varnish or lacquer, that's what it's called." Well, alrighty then, this is likely as much I'll learn from Testors.

I had bought all four in the system, marked Lacquer thinner, Clear Gloss, Semi Gloss and Flat. I just gave them all the "sniff test," they do present some different odors between bottles, the only one that smells remotely like lacquer is the clear gloss, and it's not at all a strong odor like lacquer thinner gives off. The odor of the Testors is much like that of Alclad, that's also called a lacquer, but is it really?

I have used the Testors over both enamels and lacquers, haven't tried over acylic as yet. The Clear Gloss seemed a bit critical as to the right thinning required, but once I was comfortable with it's spraying characteristics I ended up with a very nice, smooth finish, I'm happy with it. Did not affect the paint or decals under it.

I don't suspect it's acrylic, but couldn't say with certainty. I agree with you, the MM clears are completely predictable, not touchy at all. Wish I knew more, but don't.

Patrick

I have found that thinning Future with Windex or alcohol  helps me in getting a less pebbly finish, about a 30% thinner mix and sprayed at 10-15 psi. To be honest, I rather brush on the Future with a wide soft brush and it looks like glass after about 4 light coats, not marks or streaks.

If you are getting a rough finish from the lacquer is because it may not be thinned enough and the AB is  too far away. I thin it about 50/50 or so and spray 3-4 inches away at about 10 psi in very light coats and I get a super smooth coat. I have sprayed MM lacquer over cured enamel and acrylic without any problems at all.

Another clear finish that is not as aggressive as MM lacquer is Alclad Klear Kote which is mineral spirits based. Yes the bottle says Alclad  Lacquer but MS are used for thinning. Confirmed with a response from Alclad that yes, mineral spirits are to be used as thinner.

I have been using it as of late since running out of MM clear flat lacquer and it works just fine too. I thin it with mineral spirits about 30% or so.

You will have to play with the mixtures as each AB will be different.