new hobby

almost right!

1. apply flat finish
2. apply future
3. apply decals with decal solution
4. apply future

if it's not as glossy as you want it, you can apply future again...and again... till it gets the glossiness desired

the reason you future the dull coat before you put the decals on is that the decals will adhere better with less lifting of the edges etc... even the decal setting solutions recommend a buffed or glossy surface. A lot of us that use future even future dull camoflage coats with future to put on the decals, the respray it with a dull coat afterwards.

here's a similar thread in which someone was asking the same question.. the answers might help you!

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28332

Here is a good reference to future in general:

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7824

good luck and welcome to the forum!

First, Welcome to the Forum . Apply the Future before the decals, they will work much better on a gloss surface & be less likely to silver or fog. Atfer they have cured, give another Future topcoat to seal them in and add to the glossy finish.

Regards, Rick

Can you get Tamiya synthetic lacquer spray cans instead of using Future? Future is just weird to work with when trying to get car bodies all glossed up. Since this is a car, can you also get Micromesh polishing cloths? I'll say the Micromesh is the most useful whether you use Tamiya spray cans or Future.

This is basically your first model, since you haven't done one since 13. I'm trying to think of the best chance of success... without an airbrush.

Have a look at this thread, because I'm hoping you don't run into the same thing: http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27093

Thanks for the replies.
I also saw today at the hobby shop a can of testors gloss coat. Would this be better than Future? I don't need to apply dull coat as the paint is already flat. I will add the gloss coat before the decals, then another gloss coat on top. But which is better, Testors glosscoat or future? Where I'm using Tamiya paint will the testors lacquer gloss coat cause a problem?
Sorry for all the questions, I don't want to ruin this car...my Mom will flip when my wife and I give her this gift.
Cheers
Gerry

I understand the sentiment... I am making a USCG HH-65 rescue chopper right now for my dad and trying to get everything just right... actually this is the SECOND one I am making him... the first didn't work out right and I wasn't satisfied...

The testors gloss coat will work, and no... it won't affect the paint... you can do as you said, or use future over the dull paint, decal, then gloss coat...

Just make sure the tamiya is completely cured before spraying on the gloss coat... as in 48 hours or so... you said it was acrylic right? then before spraying over the decals give them about 48 hours to be safe..

yeah it will work, but keep in mind that ify ou are using tamiya crylics, if you apply the paint in a thick coat, it may or may not wrinkle your paint. you're best off with future

As 1337 said, be careful using Testors GlossCoat laquer over acrylics. Doesn't matter what brand of acrylics. Laquers are pretty evil and can be rough on some paints. Build your first few coats up very, very thin; just a mist of paint and let it dry thoroughly. Once you have a few thin mist coats over the acrylic to provide a barrier coat you can get heavier and go for the gloss.

Get a box a bit larger than your model, cut some large holes in the sides, ends, and top. Cover the holes with coffee filters. After you spray a coat, sit the box over the top of the model. It will keep dust and dirt off the wet paint, but let air circulate so it can dry.

The key to a good paint job is patience (which is why mine are always lousy). Take your time, give everything plenty of time to dry, and it will turn out fine. Try to rush nature and it may not be pretty.

Thanks for all the replies, I will give Future a go...and let everything dry at least a week between coats to make sure!! The box with coffee filters sounds good to me. After the Beetle it's Testors 1/48 F4G Phantom II with my 10 year old son, his first. Then a Tamiya 1/20 F1 Williams FW11. Should keep me busy for a while.
Cheers
Gerry :)