Future clear coat clouding after decal application?

Try not to use Set or Sol over Future. That cloudiness is common if you do.

cantgrowup

I guess I should wick away any excess water/setting/solvent drops or puddles after positioning the decal

You hit the nail on the head.

Any solution containing water, alcohol, etc can cause that hazing, in combination with the relative humidity in the air. The shorter the duration of that exposure, the less the chance of an un-fixable blush or stain.

As you've already figured out, another application of the Future will almost always fix the problem.

Tamiya makes a decal set solution called "Mark Fit", it seems to be very mild, and works well for me.  it comes in a square bttle wit a yellow cap with an applicator brush.  Worth a try.

GMorrison

Try not to use Set or Sol over Future. That cloudiness is common if you do.

 

Do all softeners have amonia? I know amonia is used to clean/dissolve acrylic paints.  You can smell the amonia in Micro Set, but I don't smell it in the Micro Sol. 

I've just ordered some Tamiya Mark Fit and Mark Fit Strong, just to have in my "tool box" and will try them. 

I also have Solvaset, which I've found is superstrong and virtually melts decals, but will it also haze Future?

cantgrowup

I also have Solvaset, which I've found is superstrong and virtually melts decals, but will it also haze Future?

Yes, it can. Virtually any decal setting solution can. (It has less to do with the chemistry of the setting solution than with the chemistry of the Future itself. It just goes with the territory, so to speak.)

Cheers

I don't think they have ammonia. Ammonia is the best way to dissolve Future. That's what Windex is.

Micro Set is acetic acid diluted in water. It's easy enough to make your own with vinegar.

Micro Sol has alchohol and I'm told, acetone. I have no idea but I really rarely use it.

Not mentioned so far, but allowing the Future to dry is important At least a couple of days.

I've had similar problems with Humbrol clear, over Tamiya Olive Drab, where the MicroSol/set burned into the clearcoat, leaving a white tidemark.

I recovered it by:

very very carefully sanding the white tidemark/puddle with one of those 4-sided nail buffers from the $/£/€ store, used damp, not wet, so as not to soak the decal or clearcoat.

Allow to dry for days!

Respray with a good quality varnish.

As has been noted Future is acrylic, is subject to the vagaries of moisture, humidity and Decal set!

I tend to use W&N Galeria or Minitaire Satin, as Original (transparent) Future is all but unobtainable in the UK, it's chief benefits was ease of use & cheapness!

Other options are:
Vallejo Gloss Medium (I don't get on with it)
Microscale Micro Gloss 
Mig Gauzy Agent

Plan on allowing several days between paint, gloss, decalling, & finish coating, to minimise issues.

cantgrowup

 

I also have Solvaset, which I've found is superstrong and virtually melts decals, but will it also haze Future?

 

Ive had Solvaset haze Future far more often than Micro Sol ever did in my experience. I’ve never had Micro Set haze Future in all the years (20+) that I’ve used Future.