How many coats of Future?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

How many coats does it take to get a good gloss coat for decaling over flat paints?

I tried to airbrush the future on and it didn’t look glossy, (it actaully looked like an orange peel, but was still wet) so I kept putting it on, but then it started to pool. I attempted to wash it off , fearing I would get pools of clear coat in my finish, with water but then all my Tamiya under coat paint came off with it! Son of a #^%@$#!!![V]

Was I doing it wrong? Should I have put on several lighter coats rather than try to gloss it out in one? If I need more than one coast, how long should I wait in between coats so I don’t get the dreaded orange peel?

Many thanks…now where did i put my f#%^$ masking tape?!
[:(!]

2

I always apply Future in light, misting coats, waiting about ten minutes or so in between. When I get to a point where I have even, semi-gloss reflection, the next coat will be heavier, and slightly “wet.” Don’t apply it heavy enough to make it pool, or you’ll be back in the same sotuation in which you now find yourself.

3

Thanks for the advice. I still have a week or so for my new bf-109 kit to come in the mail…and I thought I would be without a project until then! Silly me…

By thw way, Does anyone have any recommendations as to proper airbrush settings when using future. i.e. needle size and/or psi?

Many thanks

4

You can use the same needle and tip that you use for your paints.
I use an Omni 4000 so there is only one needle and tip. [;)]
The pressure you spray it at depends on the individual but Swanny’s site on Future recommends 15-20 psi so try that.
http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

Mike

5

Help…[?]

I’m on coat #5 of future and the model is starting to look “shiny”, but it’s not what I would call “glossy”. The surface still has texture (sorta like sandpaper).

Is this the best it gets, or will more coats get it to a glass like smoothness? (which is what I was expecting.)

Note: The model has a flat base coat of tamiya acrylics.

6

Vinny,

How far away are you keeping the airbrush while spraying the Future?
You might be too far away and are getting that texture from paint that is drying quickly. I think you might need a little wetter coat from a bit closer.

Mike

7

I’m shooting from about 4 inches and around 20 psi…
How many coats should it take…normally?
Whats the PSI / distance I should be shooting at?
Does Future evaporate significantly if applied “wet”? I’m afraid of filling in panel lines.

Here is what it looks like:

Is this the way it is supposed to look?
If not, how can I fix it? …Sanding?

8

Thanks to everyone who helped me save this gloss coat!

Problem was:

  1. Too high pressure (20 psi)
  2. Too far from the model (4-6 inches)
  3. Very low humidity
    These variables contributed to the “pebbling” in my finish as the Future was drying up and not having time to “flow” and “level out”.

Solution:

  1. Lower psi to 10-15
  2. Spray at 1 inch

This gave me enough coverage to allow flow and not allow any runs. (I also added a few drop of Windex to the cup to help with breaking surface tension)

After another coat, everything is smoothed out.

Phew…that was close.[8D]

9

Thanks for the helpful info Vinny. Glad to see it worked out.

Cheers…Snowy.

10

I just applied the decals on the “fixed” future coat…so far so good. The Future turned a little white with the Microset application, but that went away after a few minutes.

Next steps: Microsol – Future – Weathering…

Thanks again for all the support from everyone on this forum! .[tup]

11

That looks fantastic!!! So, do you let the decal with microset dry before you apply microsol??? I always assumed you put it on while the decal is still wet (and it is hard to keep the decal still). Coulda just answered my own question, eh?!

12

I usually wait a few hours after the initial decal application/microset. I could probably put on the microsol sooner, but I want to make sure that the decals are nice and dry (and set) before I bring in the heavy guns (microsol).

13

If you don’t mind me jumping in: Regarding the MicroSol and Future: I just finished a Mustang III where the MicroSol reacted with the Future coat and ‘aged’ it a bit. I was doing a Polish Mustang III so the unintentional weathering was welcomed, but I had not seen that effect before. Is my MicroSol getting old? It clouded the Future, not just whitened. Strange

Thanks for the tips on avoiding the pebble-coat. I did the same thing myself, ended up with a heavy future coat, but successfully wicked it away with paper towels and cotton rags. It was a drag, but saved the paint coat.

14

I’ve read of this happening with Micro-Sol and Future. [xx(] If you put Micro-Sol on heavy and on the future coat itself, it will turn the future cloudy. To prevent this, it’s advisable to keep as much of the Micro-Sol on the decal and off the Future coat. [D)]
I’ve read there is a fix…but I’ve never tried so I can’t testify. To fix it, let it dry thoroughly. (i.e. 24-48 hours) and then re-Future. Seems simple enough, doesn’t it? [:-^]