Future Floor Polish and other Newbie questions

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Techniques
1

Hey all,

I just picked up the latest FineScale magazine which directed me here. Wow…what a great resource. I have recently got back into the hobby and picked up a few kits in the last month to last me a year or so. I’m just in the process of accumulating tools and supplies which leads me to a few “newbie” questions that I have for some of the more experience modelling vets…

1.) I live in Canada and I’m having a hard time finding this Future Floor polish that people have been telling me about. Does anyone know if this is available in Canada? (or a similar alternative). Ive been to Walmart and Home Depot and they have no clue what I’m talking about. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’ve actually found some on Ebay but it would be about 25 bucks or so to get it shipped to me which seems a little steep. I would love to find a cheaper source if possible.

2.) Another problem that I have is that I don’t have access to a hobby shop in my town so I have to either load up on supplies when I head to a large city or turn to places like Ebay. Can anyone recommend a good source to buy kits and supplies on the web?

3.) What do you guys use for primer? I recently picked up a huge stash of grey acrylic Modelmaster paints at a discount store (20 bottles for about 7 bucks). I have three different shades (Gunship Grey, Gloss Gull Grey, and Neutral Grey) and I was just curious if you guys think that any of these would work well as a decent primer? Is there something in primer that helps other paint adhere to it? Also, let’s say I use one of these colors as a base/primer coat…could I then use another brand of paint on top of it? (ie: Tamiya or Vallejo?) I have heard mixed ideas on this and I was just wondering what your thoughts were.

Anyways, I thank you for your time and interest and I look forward to your responses. I’m sure that this will be the first of many posts from me. :slight_smile:

Thanks very much to all in advance!

2

I think (I am back to the hobby after 30 years) all are refering to the glossy lacquer.

I am using Model Master and Testors enamels - and for finish Model Master spray can (Model Master 1961) - Lacquer Overcoat - Gloss - and Model Master 1960 - Lusterless (Flat) for a final finish. Since I have to paint the whole model for weathering and decals, I decided to use the spray can instead of airbrush paint. Its easier to use, no cleaning required - just make sure you have a really good vent while using those cans.

It works just great - and unless I find a better way of doing it - I stick to spray cans for gloss and final flat finish.

Greg

3

I just found a very helpful article and … it proves how newbie I am :slight_smile:

http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

still a lot to learn …

Greg

4

Welcome to the forums! What part of Canada do you live?

You’ll have better luck finding Future at a grocery store. And yes, it’s definitely available in Canada. I bought my bottle at Super Store, but I’ve seen it at Real Canadian, and IGA. I think I’ve seen it in Canadian Tire, too.

Online stores based in Canada:

http://www.imperialhobbies.ca

http://www.militaryhobbies.ca

http://www.udisco.com/hobbies/index.htm

Online stores based in US:

http://www.greatmodels.com/

http://www.squadron.com/

Online stores based in Asia:

http://www.hlj.com/

http://www.luckymodel.com/

Both of these come recommended, though I haven’t used them.

There are problems with all of them. Cost of shipping, timeline for delivery, out of stock items (which increases your shipping costs when they do ship). The ones outside of Canada tend to get hit with duty fees. DON’T ship with a courier or you’ll get hit with brokerage charges.

I rarely prime and rely on good preperation of the painting surface. I wash in dish soap and give large surfaces a wipe with Isopropyl Alcohol before painting. The few times I do prime I use rattle can primers. Typically I do aircraft with Tamiya AS-12 Aircraft Silver, so that any chipping or scratches show the appropriate color underneath the paint. Primers are designed to grab onto the surface, and to even out the color.

Acrylics tend to work fairly well together, it mixing enamel and acrylics together that causes grief. And that only because a lot of people don’t wait for paint to cure, which is different from drying. Search around the forums, there is an answer for just about everything modeling related on these boards!

5

Ditto what Bill said.

I use Tamiya gray acrylic as my major primer—on a clean surface. Tamiya, Gunze, and Polly Scale appear to have the best adhesion of the brands I’ve tried.

Remove acrylics with Windex, Simple Green, or a solution of ammonia.

To elaborate on cure vs. dry: as a general rule, acrylics dry relatively rapidly, but they reach full cure more slowly than enamels. For ambient cure, give a gloss acrylic at least three days, especially if it’s humid. Using gentle heat to accelerate the cure also improves surface bond. I use a forced air food dehydrator, but you can do the same thing with a box, a 40 watt lightbulb, and a small electric fan.

Here are other links for tools:

http://www.widgetsupply.com/

http://www.platoproducts.com/

6

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for the fast response. I will definitely be using some of those tips. As I stated earlier, it sure is nice to have a resource like this. I hope I can get to a point where I can give back and help you guys with some suggestions. :slight_smile:

Hey, Bgrigg…

I basically live just outside of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. The hobby shop I used to go to is about an hours drive from here and I have just been told that they are closing. :frowning:

As for Future Floor Polish, I didn’t even think about Superstore, I will check them out today. I have tried Canadian Tire but they had no clue. I searched up and down those isles by myself for ever with no luck. :frowning:

Anyways, I’m eager to get to work on my project today. I’ve recently started a 1/72 Aurora/Heller YAK III and I’ve just painted the cockpit and smaller parts. Now I’m ready to paint the body…wish me luck as I’m trying out my new airbrush!

Thanks again guys, I’m sure you’ll be hearing from me some more in the future!

7

You’re welcome.

I’ve sent you a PM with a couple of LHS in North Van and Victoria. They don’t have online ordering, but if you know what you want, they’ll ship it to you by bus.

Cheers,

Bill

8

Thanks for the tips, Bgrigg…

I finally found some Future Floor polish at the Superstore. Woo hoo! I can’t wait to try it out. I’ll let you know how it turns out.