Applying varnish with an airbrush

What are you using?
Most people use Future floor polish.

Yes, I've heard a lot about Future, but we don't have that here in South Africa (b.t.w., I live in Cape Town). I'm currently using Humbrol Clear Gloss and Clear Satin for finishing.

From Swanny's {url=http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html]The Complete  Future[/url]

In South Africa look for "Mr. Muscle" in a pink plastic bottle with the "Future" logo on the bottom of the label or Johnsons "One Step" which is chemically identical to "Future".

Check it out. If that information is no longer true, let us know so Swanny can update his article.

Thanks! Will do, and will let you know.

Sorry I took so long to respond, it took me a while to scout around. I found both the Mr. Muscle and the "One Step", however I'm not sure if either of them is the right thing. Mr Muscle does say FUTURE on it, but it also says that it includes ammonia to dissolve the previous layer of polish. I thought ammonia is used to remove Future?

Johnson's "One Step" seems to be closer to the mark. However, after using it on some spare model parts, the results I get are not what I would expect - the coat is not nearly as glossy as Humbrol clear gloss coat, for example, it's a lot flatter. Is it still the right thing?

it should be... I know my friends in Australia said their Pledge One Go (I believe it is called) coated the parts but had an ammonia smell and did not perform as well as future.  Does the One Step have a sort of floral scent to it?  Or non chemical at least?

To get the shiny gloss coat I usually have to make 3 or 4 passes with the airbrush in separate coats allowed to dry for an hour or so in between... once you get it gloss though it looks like glass!

 

I would stay away from the ammonia based version. Future has no ammonia in it at all, and you're right ammonia is used to remove Future coats.

Future does require airbrushing subsequent layers to achieve a high gloss look, so give it another try with the One Step.

Thanks for the responses!

Well, I think then that Mr. Muscle is definitely out, maybe Swanny should know about this.

As for the One Step, I'll give it another few tries and see what happens. And it does have a far less chemical smell than Mr Muscle. I hope it works...

you could PM or email Swanny - he is always happy to get updates for his pages... try the One Step
first and that way you could let him know one is in, the other is out.. or at least your experiences with each..

Again, sorry for the delay in responding.

Well, Johnson's One Step seems to do the trick, it gets more and more glossy as I apply subsequent layers. It is very thin, so it can easily be airbrushed. The other Mr. Muscle is definitely out.

Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it!