I personally don't feel that it is necessary. If you are talking about using it only for decaling, I really do not think it is a must. For decals, most of the time all you need is a glossy or even semi-glossy surface so you avoid silvering. I use MicroScale's MicroGloss for this and it works well. Depending on how you appply it, it dries faster than Future, too. As for the drying time, it doesn't take 24-48 hours to dry as a law. If you put a thick coat of Future on then it will take longer to dry, or if you have a few spots on the surface with deep grooves (like zimmerit) then it could take longer. In my experience, and the way I use it, it only takes 30 minutes or so to dry. I apply it only to the area that will be covered by the decal, in a thin, brushed-on coat. If I am not satisfied with the level of gloss, then I may add a second coat after the first is dry, but one is normally enough. If I am in a real hurry, then I whip out the hairdryer and speed things up with a little heat.

In a nutshell, the Future isn't as vital as the smooth or glossy coat underneath the decal, regardless of the medium used to produce that coat. Hope this helps you out.

I have yet to use future for decaling. Instead, I use a gloss acrylic clearcoat from ModelMaster. I agree, you do need some type of glossy surface for decals to look their best (especially on a flat surface) but future is not a must.

Andy

I've actually heard that too.

In talking with an old guy at an LHS not too long ago, he told me that he never used future. His forte was WWII and pre-WWII aircraft. If I remember correctly, he told me about using gloss paints for his builds Since they usually had a pretty shiny luster from the assembly line. Silvering was usually minimal (if at all) and then just apply a dullcote from there along with weathering. Of course, I never acually seen any of his work, so I couldn't honestly say how well it worked or not though....

I've never used it, nor do I think I need to... My system of squirting some glosscoat where the decals need to go and using the decal set works fine... I don't have any silvering problems by leaving Future on the store shelf... To me, it's just one more layer of crap you have to deal with...

 

I do spray future all over a model before decalling and afterwards to seal the decals. Not only because of silvering but also because washes work better on a smooth surface.

However, Future is just one of many options for a gloss coat, so just use what you like.

In a word, NO!  Having said that, I will admit that I normally apply Future to my models.  Occasionaly only to the areas where the decals are going to be applied, but usually to the entire model.  Reason?  A.  Future is a whole lot cheaper than the equivalent amount of Gloss coat,  B.  It's available 7 days a week at the local grocery store (which is a little over a block away - and I can usually find another bottle where SWMBO keeps her household cleaning & polishing supplies - of course that has been know to work the other way also) and C.  If you keep the cap on tight, it seems to last forever on the shelf

I am building a 1/32 phantom just now. I used gloss paints and wet sanded the model afterwards with 2000 grit. The finish was so smooth I just went for it and the decals are going on great. I like to use an enamel wash though and I used enamel paint so a coat of future for weathering is likely.

The point is how you get a glossy surface is moot... just so long as it's glossy.

I agree with acmodeler01,

You really don't need to use future to achieve a good decal application....in fact, when I model in HOn3 most of my models are built in wood and sprayed with a flat finish paint. I use Microscale micro set and micro sol only and get great results even on a flat finish paint ! Granted, this is a lot more difficult than applying the decals on a gloss finish, but after the decals have dried overnight I apply a clear flat spray....like Floquil flat finish....and it hides hazing, or any gloss from the decal VERY well. AND you don't need the extra steps involved.

Keep the Future for the floors....this may be "old school" but the tried and true methods still work great for me

I have a newbie question. If you are building Armor or figures and they are all flat. Do you still use the gloss when adding decals or is there another process to deal with this?

Charles

You don't really NEED Future, but its a good tool.  I use Future as a hard acrylic overcoat for the paint which is great for applying decals, but also for weathering and the washes I use as well.  The washes run really well over a gloss coat (I don't usually paint with Gloss paints) and Future is very easy to use.

charlietuna67 wrote:

I have a newbie question. If you are building Armor or figures and they are all flat. Do you still use the gloss when adding decals or is there another process to deal with this? Charles

You still need a glossy surface for good decal adhesion and to keep them from silvering as well as good wash behavior.. Just shoot everything with clear flat after you're done...

having only been back in the hobby for a year or so i read all the posts about future and decided i must have it.....

but..........having made a few models in the last year,i've decided i'm only going to use it for clear parts from now on.

i'm mainly using vallejo model air now and decals go on really well without future and with only a little help from sol and set.

 

paul

I will have to do a test on some other stuff that dont really matter and see what happens. Thank you all for all your help. This place is wonderful.

Charlie