Need advice for first gloss aircraft

I use Xtracolor most of the time which are gloss paints. this removes the need to add a gloss coat before decals. So no, you should not need to do that. As for glossing after, that depends if you want to seal the decals before weatehing, that is what i usually do. But as your not weathering much, you might get away with just adding one gloss coat over the decals and leave it at that.

You do need to glosscoat before decals if you used flat paint.  If you used gloss paint.  Ordinarily you do not need to use a gloss coat after.  Those late WW2 navy planes were not super-glossy.  If you used gloss paint you do not need any glosscoat.

As ill be using gloss paint the question is...will i need to gloss coat after the deacals and if so...with what?  Will future provide good results?  How are you guys keeping the hair and dust out of your gloss finishes?  Matte hids it well...gloss is like a neon sign LOL 

Work backwards from what you are going to use for weathering. Whatever you seal the color coats and decals with must be impervious to the weathering medium.

In other words, if you plan to weather wityh mineral spirit based wash, undercoat with acrylic, such as future.

Bill

Not planning to weather this one.  Just a nice clean build.  

question 1.  even though I'm using a gloss paint...will I need to gloss over the decals

question 2.  If I do...is future a suitable gloss

question 3.  If it's not...what other acrylics would be better. How is vallejos gloss varnish for instance 

double post sorry

Monogram Madness

Not planning to weather this one.  Just a nice clean build.  

question 1.  even though I'm using a gloss paint...will I need to gloss over the decals

question 2.  If I do...is future a suitable gloss

question 3.  If it's not...what other acrylics would be better. How is vallejos gloss varnish for instance 

 

Seal if you want the decals sealed. It's that simple, your choice. Also if the gloss of the decals is different and disturbing compared with the gloss of the paint. Clear it to even up the gloss in other words, not just to seal. Same thing with flats for that matter.

Future will work. I prefer either Tamiya X-22 or Liquitex varnish but if all I had was Future ( in my case Pledge, same thing) I wouldn't go running out of my way for something else mid build.. I also use lacquers over acrylics and decals but you didn't ask about that and that's fine.

I've never used Vallejo clear gloss but I've used all the above over Vallejo colors and other acrylic colors.. One thing about Future it's easy. Squirt some in your airbrush, spray, clean your airbrush or at least a good rinse and back flush. Go cook a burger for supper, it's over. And then if you step on your model you have faith knowing you won't scuff the clear cause it's made to walk on anyway. I don't think it's meant to be on display for 30 years because on floors eventually you will strip it and refinish but that's beside the point really, it will cover the decals and give even gloss.

Monogram Madness

Not planning to weather this one.  Just a nice clean build.  

question 1.  even though I'm using a gloss paint...will I need to gloss over the decals

question 2.  If I do...is future a suitable gloss

question 3.  If it's not...what other acrylics would be better. How is vallejos gloss varnish for instance 

 

1. I would say yes.  It will help preserve the decals over time, and also helps make the decal edges less prominent.

2. As discussed in the other thread about this subject, use at your own risk.  As others have said, Future is for floors.  Considering the amount of time we spend getting our models to the point of decaling, personally, I wouldn't compromise or rush this step.

3. AK Interactive Gauzy Agent Shine Enhancer if you have to use acrylics.  MRP Super Clear Gloss Varnish gets my vote for lacquers.

Eaglecash867

3. AK Interactive Gauzy Agent Shine Enhancer if you have to use acrylics.  MRP Super Clear Gloss Varnish gets my vote for lacquers.

I agree on the MRP.  Goes on really thin, so you can feather in the decal edges first and then go back with an overall gloss without making the whole model look like it was dipped.   

So, I'm gonna go against the old trope that glossing BEFORE decals is necessary. It is not completely necessary if your paint surface is smooth.  Glossy, satin, flat....decals need a smooth surface, not necessarily a shiny surface.  To prevent the dreaded silvering, you need smooth paint and setting solution.  I hardly ever gloss before decals, and have had almost 0 silvering in my decals for years.

that being said, to answer your question regarding gloss coating the 'Glossy Sea Blue', even though it's called "glossy", the sun, weather, and sea air would knock down the gloss, so after decaling, a light even coat of satin would look fine....and it would look good in evening out the edges of your decals as well