Varnish queries

QUOTE: Some have said Future will make it shiny again but I have never experimented with that to know. (I feel an experiment tonight, good question)

Yup Future does make it shiny, but that shine fades a little over time.
It also seems to add some depth to the color, and seems to soften edges as it disperses light.

Some kits I leave with the Future gloss as a top coat, others I dull, depending how I want it to appear.

matter of taste really.

Excellent!

Thank you very much for all of your replies. You have answered all of my queries and more!

Thanks Again!

wow... that's wierd, we both were responding at the same time... I thought I heard an echo when I was typing haha

Glad you added the link to Swanny's page. I was coming back to add it to my post when I saw yours.

well actually Klear makes the clear parts look better! a lot of us dip our clear pieces in future (Klear for you all) and let cure 48 hours. Makes them look less ;'thick' and makes them nice and glossy!!! (VERY glossy!)

Here is a very well done article about using Future (Klear)

http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

As far as matte varnish, I think it would do just that... make it matte. Some have said Future will make it shiny again but I have never experimented with that to know. (I feel an experiment tonight, good question)

As far as cleaning the airbrush I just spray an ammonia window cleaner through mine just like cleaning with any other thinner, then follow with clean water... You will see it in the web site article, but windex (i.e. ammonia window cleaner) will dissolve Future so if a piece comes out not looking just right you can take it right off!

Enjoy the article!!! It's very well written and gives ya just what you were wanting to know and more!!

QUOTE: 1. I am currently working on an Airfix 1/72 Heinkel He 111 and have come to the stage of applying a gloss coat prior to dealing with the decals. I wish to use Future (Johnson's Klear, here in merry ole England!) but am worried about the effects this will have on the rather extravagant He 111 nose, which of course is a clear part. Is Klear going to be OK airbrushed on to clear parts?

Assuming that Klear is exactly the same thing as Future, it won't cause a problem for clear parts. Many people actually dip their canopies in Future before working with them to put a layer of acrylic between the plastic and the work.

QUOTE: 2. How does matt varnish react with clear parts?

It probably depends on the varnish. When you say varnish I assume you mean just some sort of clear coat. Laquer-based clear coats will probably fog the plastic. I'm not sure about enamels, but my guess is that they would as well. Water-based acrylics should not hurt the clear at all, but not all acrylics are water-based.

QUOTE: 3. What is the best solution for cleaning an airbrush after using Klear?

Windex or any ammonia-based glass cleaner. Flush the airbrush with water after cleaning to remove and residual ammonia since it can cause the metal to darken over time.