Pledge Future

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Decaling
1

New to this. What is/does Pledge Future do? I was told that it could be used to prep areas before applying decals. Or is it put on after wards? Can someone give me the 1,2,3 on this technique? How bout the 1,2,3 on decals in general lol…All the best and Merry Christmas!

Thanks

2

Hello!

Many people on here know it better than I do, but for a quick kick-off, future is effectively a clear cote you use after the paint dried, to make the surface for the decals smooth. Then you put the decals on, preferably using some decal setting solution (that softens and melts the decals some, to embed them on the desired surface and to make them conform to it really well - this can be dangerous to the decals, make an experiment in advance). After everything dried nicely, you can/should overcoat the decals, you can use future for that, too. If necessary/desired, you can then add a matt cote on top of the future, if your model isn’t supposed to be glossy (which future tends to be). Future can also be used for light gluing, and to improve polished clear parts (like windows, etc.). I believe Mr. Swanny’s website has a very detailed report on this product. Good luck with your project and have a nice day

Paweł

3

Hi Pawel,

After decaling and applying Future, what can be used to get back to a matt finish on a model painted with flat Tamiya acrylic paints?

pop caldon

4

Pop,

Any clear flat will work over Future. I use either Testors Dullcote or Acryl clear flat.

Cheers, Aaron

5

Thanks, Aaron. I’ve used Testors Dullcote in the past but only over enamel. I was nervous to use over acrylic paint…

Happy New Year

Pop

6

I was too. I had had some bad luck doing that. I guess the secret seems to be make sure it is completely dry/hardened. Don’t just evaluate dry to touch- that is not enough. It has to be dryer/harder than that.

7

The other nice benefit of Future is once the decals are on and overcoated with Future (and its dry) then the smooth surface makes it a lot easier to do washes down panel lines with a simple wipe-off of any excess, while protecting the decals.

If you are looking for a matte finish, some people mix in acrylic flat with the future. I prefer to simply do an overspray of matte.

Good modeling!

8

I also have a questions about Future. I’m back into modeling after a 20+ year lapse and have been reading and watching as much as I can about using Future prior to application of any washes.

I tired this as an experiment two days ago, over a flat brown primer. The wash seemed to flow better over the flat primer than it did over the Future-coated areas. And the Future turned a milky white around the edges of the washed areas.

So my questions are:

  1. How thick should the coat of Future be?

  2. Should I do any wet-sanding before applying the Future?

  3. How long should Future take to cure completely?

Any help is very much appreciated!

9

And I realized AFTER I posted that this is the decaling forum, so apologies for being slightly off topic.