Another dumb question from Porbkits! Yay!

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

So my understanding is that after you’ve finished painting your aircraft and let it cure for, like, two years, you lay down a coat of Future, apply decals (with or without the assistance of Microsol or Microset), then apply either a final gloss or dull coat to seal all the goods.

My question is thus: Do you apply Future to the ENTIRE model, or ONLY the areas which will be decal-ed? This is the missing link for me. My guess is you should apply Future to the entire model to keep things even, but I have no idea.

Or is this another one of those crafting questions for which everyone will have a different answer? :slight_smile:

Thanks!

PB

2

Apply to the whole model. If you only do the areas to be decaled, the finish will be uneven. Even after a top coat.

3

Prkbits

I spray Future on ENTIRE model. New coat every 10 min until I’m happy cure 24 hr than Decal after that with Microsol or Microset. than more Future on ENTIRE model for panel lines. Easyer to clean on gloss surfece. After I’m done dull coat.

Hope this helps.

Gumiflex

4

[#ditto]

5

I Future the entire model pror to decaling. This keeps the colors in balance & also serves as the base coat for final washes. After decaling, I usually give another very light coat of Future but only over the decals to seal them in. After washes, I do the final topcoat, usually using PollyScale Flat.

Regards, Rick

6

Thanks for the responses! I will apply Future to the entire plane. Maybe a couple of times.

PB

7

Porkbits, there’s no such thing as a dumb question, only dumb pe… errr… hmmm. Open mouth, insert foot?

In addition to what the other gurus have said, I generally spray a few mist coats on the model, then i give one or two heavier coats. Just my style, I reckon!

8

Too be different, there is another option instead of using Future. I use a polishing stick to take the flat paint to a level semi gloss finish. Apply the decals then treat the decal to get the appropriate sheen. This saves another step in the overall process and allows me to achieve the weathering I desire. Why gloss clear if your going to flat clear it anyway?

9

Interesting technique. I’ll have to try that, even with the multiple clear coats: It would seem to be a good way to change the reflectivity of a final clear coat, too; and allow blending of a final dry weathering technique.

There is no “one right way,” only the ways that work for you.

10
I apply it to the entire model,let it dry for 3 days,decal it,let it dry for another few days and finish it off with a light coat of Microflat.Results are uniform and I reallyu like the semi-gloss sheen ,really accents the panel lines and surface detail!
11

Hawkeye,

When you say “polishing stick” - do you mean the kind of polishing/sanding stick that people use on their fingernails ? Or are you talking about something else ?

Chris

12

Thanks for the continued advice. I’m building an A-10, which apparently has finish so flat that it actually sucks in light across the entire spectrum, and also kittens.

So my plan is to Future, apply decals, then apply Testors Dullcote. Yeah, I know the stuff is evil–yellows with age, destroys decals, and causes youth to become wayward. :wink:

PB