Can Future be hand brushed....

Yes, absolutely.  I routinely apply Future by hand with a brush.

It's better that way. Either way, pay attention to runs as it does and will. Look for accumulations or drops, and wick them up with the torn edge of a paper towel.

I'd warn against just putting future where the decals go. It will make the underlying color look wet, i.e. dark, and will show up as a splotch. Typically I just face the music and paint the whole wing, etc.

MrDave

...since all I need to do is create a surface to apply decals to?

 

I do it all the time with my tank builds.  After installing the decals I just cover them with several light coats of Future until I feel weathering won't affect them. 

Use a nice soft wide brush like a 1".

GMorrison

Use a nice soft wide brush like a 1".

 

Thank you Mr. M.  I bought a good 1" brush at Hobby Lobby and did a thin test application of Future.  Very nice finish.  I still don't understand why my airbrushing gave such miserable results.

Customer service at AlClad suggested that I had mixed a lacquer thiner into ALC-600.  I hadn't although I do use lacquer thinner to clean my brush regularly.

Thanks again!

I found a foam brush works great for this.  Use as wide of one as practical.  Go slow and gentle and it works much better and easier than an airbrush will do.