As Rick said, the sticky in the Techniques forum has all the answers you could want. Read the FAQ and it will explain everything about it.
QUOTE:
I would like to use Future to help with decals but haven’t used it before. Do I just paint it on with a brush where I want the decal to go? My base coat of paint is enamel, does that matter? What exactly is future used for (what is the benefit of using it on the model)? I read about it so I figured I experiment and get some experience with it….I’m trying to take my modeling to the next level so I’m full of questions.
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The short version is that Future is clear acrylic plastic. Spraying a coat over your model is just like encasing it in a clat of plastic. It protects the paint and decals. In its natural form it provides a glossy finish, so I generally spray the whole model prior to applying decals to give them a nice, smooth surface to adhere to. After the decals are on I spray the whole model again to protect everything. If a flat finish is desired, you can mix Future and Tamiya Flat Base (XF-21 I think) and you can get anything from a semi gloss finish to a super matte finish.
It doesn't matter if your paint is enamel, laquer, or acrylic. Future will stick and will work well.