I found this tip about applying decals over Future and would like to know if it is True or False?
Also, can you please tell me how & what you use to prepare the surface of a model before you put on the decals?
TIP- [%-)] Beware Future floor finish.:
Since decals do not adhere well to flat painted surfaces, it has been widely suggested that Future floor finish be used underneath any decals.
However, Future tends to react with water and leaves a milky residue that is almost impossible to get rid of.
I don’t know if it’s due to the formulation in Canada, or a lack of curing
time.
I have since used clear gloss acrylic paint underneath decals on flat paints and then following with clear flat acrylic.
Fully cured Future, now called “Pledge Premium Floor Finish with Future Shine,” ([yuck] add cretins) does not react with water when fully cured—but it may react with things in the water, and does react to some decal setting solutions (Micro Sol, IIRC).
If it turned cloudy when exposed to water, it wouldn’t be a very good floor finish, now would it? (People actually use this on their floors?!?! [:O])
To reduce Future for spraying (if you must—not usually necessary, but YMMV), don’t use water. Use 90% isopropyl alcohol.
Future is my friend. I use it for dipping canopies and clear windshields, and for gloss coats before and after decaling, and mix it with Tamiya flat base (X-21) for dull and satin coats. The formulation in Canada is no different than in the US.
Mixing it with water is not recommended but once it is completely cured (not the same as dry) it repels water quite handily. Although long term exposure will eventually remove the finish. It’s why people who use it on floors have to redo the floors occasionally.
I always apply decals on a coat of future without any problems. Even if a haze would occur afterwards, it would vanish after applying another coat of future over the decal after drying.
Some people also dip smaller decals directly in future before applying them, which also prevents silvering effects. Though, You do not have very long to move those decals because the future gets sticky rather quickly.
I too am a fan of Future…I usually will run at least two coats over the whole model before decaling, then I use it also for a decal-set. Another coat on top of your decals, then a flat coat on top of that.