future as gloss coat?

To ask an obvious question, why are you using Future and getting bad results with the Testors MM product, when you can use the Testors MM acrylic gloss coat and get good results? I use MM acrylics over their enamels all the time, barely waiting for the enamel to dry, and I have never had this problem. In fact, I use MM acrylics to seal an enamel if it tends to be a touchy color.

In the most recent issue of FSM, a staff member/builder helps a reader's problem by telling him how he solved several problems by stopping the use of Future, and using a Testors clear-coat product for decalling surface prep.

I have tried Future, and I frankly do not care for it at all.

  Tom

And to give an obvious answer, I know I can simply switch products Ive got a can of mm acrylic spray ready to go but,for me and many other modelers its endlessly frustrating to know that (lets say) 95% of our peers can achieve fine results with this product yet the other 5% can not. I'm simply trying to master skills as I go, I know I dont have to master every method the first time but I'd like to have these skills in my repertoire .... just because, oh well ,rome wasnt built in a day... maybe in time. thanks for the advice tom, I'll switch.

Future is often described as a "modeler's best friend" and I personally indorse that.  Having said that, Future does take some getting used to.  I have found the best way to apply it is to add just a little Windex to the Future as this tends to level the Future out a little faster.  The real secret is to apply Future in light dusty coats and build it up as it drys.  After 15 minutes or so of drying time, go back and shoot on additional coats and keep doing this until you achieve the gloss that you desire.  Before going with your "sludge" wash, let the Future cure for at least 48 hours or more and in that way your wash will come right off where you don't want it.  By the way, I have recently gone from using acrylic washes to oil washes thinned with mineral spirits, applied over acrylic base coats, with really good results.  This type of wash can also be applied over well cured Future.

Hopefully this helps.

 

Mike

Just a thought, but how old is your Future?  I've had a bottle for about four years now, but I keep it closed up tightly and in a dark, cool location.  I use Future for my clear coats, and I just dipped the clear pieces for a 1/48 scale B-26 and my Future is holding up well, but I've heard rumors that old Future breaks down.

Agreed on letting the coat dry for at least 2 days; I usually let it dry for 5 days.

Just a thought.  Good luck!

Chris