I’ve been reading this forum for several weeks now, and I’ve picked up many threads regarding the use of FUTURE. While I have been able to myself gleen some from reading through the posts, I was wondering if there was an all-inclusive post or FAQ somewhere that explains the use of this product. Specifically, I’m searching for the answers the following questions:
What is Future?
Where can you buy it?
What is is used for (in terms of models)?
How it is applied?
Any special techniques used for application?
How (is) it thinned for airbrushing?
How long does it last after being applied?
How can you remove it?
Any problems or issues in using it (problems with use with certain paints)?
Does it require a final/top coat?
For what purposes is it best used?
I’ve been able to pick up much myself in pouring through the posts, but I thought it would be good to see if there was a cental source for this information so newbies wouldn’t have to spend days reading through all the posts and try to figure things out for themselves.
If a FAQ doesn’t exist, maybe someone can write up a how-to guide and the admins can make it STICKY for all to see in the FUTURE
What is Future?
Acrylic Floor Polish, its a brand name made by SC Johnson
Where can you buy it?
In the US just about every hardware, supermarket and odega
What is is used for (in terms of models)?
As a clear gloss finish to protect paint finishes and
reduce ‘silvering’ when applying decals
How it is applied?
Airbrushing is easier for large areas but can also be brushed -
canopies can be ‘dipped’
Any special techniques used for application?
How (is) it thinned for airbrushing?
How long does it last after being applied?
Much like any paint - same basic rules apply
How can you remove it?
Windex or any glass cleaner / any ammonia based product
Any problems or issues in using it (problems with use with certain paints)?
Let the underly paint dry thouroughy - I have used it over every kind of
paint you can think of with no adverse affects - if ytou let the paint
dry - like 1 to five days depending on brand
Does it require a final/top coat?
IF you want a flat finish yes -
For what purposes is it best used?
This stuff was designed to keep you floor bright and shiny so
it will take a lot more abuse than most hobby paints - I use it to first
to gloss the model prior to decals, then another 1-2 coats after decal
to seal them in then final flat coat - personally I use floquil
Thanks Hap for the start to the FAQ Good stuff. I think your answers beget more questions!
In terms of application (airbrush) - is it used full strength? If it should be diluted, then with what should it be diluted with and with what percentage should it be diluted?
In terms of the “dipping” method, again, is it used full strength with this approach? Should it just be left to dry after removing it from the dip? Do you “buff” after drying?
What about the technique of using FUTURE with food coloring or some other color agent to darken/color canopies? How might this be done?
If someone else could fill in the questions that Hap didn’t comment on, I think we might have a good FAQ starter for those who are interested in using FUTURE.
For airbrushing
I use it stright from the bottle - 20 -25 psi, no need to dilute and I suspect
since it thins with water you would end up with puddles…
Dont try to do it in one coat - 2 -3 thin coats
Dipping :
This takes some practice - just dip the part in, then touch one edge
on a paper towel a few times to soak off the excess , leave to dry on a clean surface - but move it around after a minute to prevent it from sticking
If you over do it or dont like the results - just soak in windex and it will all come
off
Havent tried coloring it so someone else please step in
What is is used for (in terms of models)?
Gloss coats, makes decals set(thus removing need for setting solution, in most cases), protects the paint job.
How it is applied?
I brush it. Brush it like it were paint, and practice!
Any special techniques used for application?
Nope. Works just like paint, only it self-levels, and is somewhat thicker than paint!
How (is) it thinned for airbrushing?
You don’t thin it for airbrushing, you use it straight from the bottle! Thinning it will also remove some of its glossiness, so I’d reccomend not doing that!
How long does it last after being applied?
Forever.
How can you remove it?
Isopropyol Alcohol(Rubbing Alcohol)
Any problems or issues in using it (problems with use with certain paints)?
Nope.
Does it require a final/top coat?
Only if you want a finish other than gloss!
For what purposes is it best used?
Gloss coating, a nice coat for decals to snuggle up against, protecting decals and paint jobs. Those are pretty much its only purposes!
I’ve heard of being used to attach small delicate parts - especially clear ones because it doesn’t fog and doesn’t dissolve plastic.
When brushing as a finish I’ve found a light touch to be necessary. Brush with vigour and the stuff starts to froth: those bubbles will dry as little blemishes and ruin the gloss look.
Finally, for those in the UK…
It is known as Johnson’s Klear here and costs £3-£4 per bottle.
I’ve seen it in Sainsbury’s and assorted independent hardware shops.
It dries rock-hard, zero tackiness!
For cleaning an airbrush, try maybe windex or dish soap in water? Or ammonia would be great. I don’t know, I don’t airbrush!
And yes, for decaling, a light coat of future(or just a little where the decal will go) will be very good!
Yeap, it does dry rock hard, BUT it takes long…very long…certainly much longer than any acrylic/solvent based paint I’ve ever used. You want to let it dry for at least a couple of days before handling your model, or you might end up with fingerprints all over it.
One more Future question, can Future be polished out like a clear paint with polishing clothes and then have polishing liquid used on it? I polish my car models with a polishing kit, and a final treatment of Novus # 2 polish. Will that be ok with Future?
Lee
Well, dust has never gotten in my future, but, if it did, it sands easy. so just sand where you got dust, and re-apply right there! Other than that, I wouldn’t reccomend polishing Future, but I’d see no reason why it wouldn’t work! I just don’t have any polishing compounds, so have never tried!
Lee,
You questioned whether Future can be polished? Absolutely.
I make a lot of 1/144 airliners for clients and use Future on almost all of them - any blemishes get polished out with Brasso paste (in the toothpaste type tube)and it comes up beautifully.
I’ve never had a problem with Future staying tacky - it always dries rock hard. It’s not as strong as the automotive acrylic that I used to use, but at least it doesn’t EAT decals.
Cheers,
LeeTree
Triarius, TenchiMuyo81, now you guys got me thinking…don’t know why is it that when I arbrush future it stays tacky for so long, but it sure does…maybe it has something to do with this wonderful, wet, northwest weather…
Another quick question. A number of people have suggested Windex for clean-up. Would windshield washer fluid work as well? It seems to be a similar type of fluid and I am just thinking of the cost factor.
If you want ultimate cheapness, go w/ rubbing alcohol. But yeah, windshield washer fluid would probly do it!
Hey, does anyone know if mineral spirits will craze future? I prbly know the answer, but I can’t think of it!
Good stuff. I think your answers beget more questions!