Pledge

[BCR751]

I read in another thread where someone was using Pledge With Future Shine floor wax to gloss coat prior to applying decals.  I looked today and the only thing I can find here is called Pledge Vinyl Tile and Floor Finish.  Is this the same stuff?  Has anyone used this?  It scares the hell out of me to even consider using it but $8 for 750ml is a lot better than $8 for 30ml of the hobby gloss, particularly if it works

Doug

[peteski]

Doug,
Future (in any of its many reincarnations) was never a floor wax. It is a water-based clear acrylic finish.

For most up to date and most complete info about Future, see http://www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html

If you look at the animated photo on the right side of that website, the stuff you found is the right stuff.  If you read through the entire page, you'll find lots of hints on how to use it in modeling.

[BCR751]

After reading that piece on Pledge, I think I'll stay away from it.  Looks like it could potentially cause more problems that it solves. 

Doug

[Philip H]

After reading that piece on Pledge, I think I'll stay away from it.  Looks like it could potentially cause more problems that it solves. 

Doug

How do you figure?

[peteski]

To be honest, I'm not really a Future/Pledge user. Lots of modelers (including the info on Swanny's site) swear by it, but it just doesn't entice me. I have other coatings which I find more than adequate.

I do have some of the original Future (bought back in 1990s), and the only times I used it was to dip clear windshield parts in it to make them look better.  I never used it for anything else.

[tom mann]

Years ago, I used Future to make a tank car look new:

[GaryHinshaw]

Me too.  It's certainly worth experimenting with.   Tom, tell me more about those wheels.  HO?

[BCR751]

The part that has me the most worried is the potential for masking tape to peel off the paint underneath the Pledge.  That appears to be the most probable issue and that would really suck.  I'll stick with the commercial gloss finishes, at least as long as they are available.

Doug

[wcfn100]

The part that has me the most worried is the potential for masking tape to peel off the paint underneath the Pledge.  That appears to be the most probable issue and that would really suck.  I'll stick with the commercial gloss finishes, at least as long as they are available.

Doug

I can't think of any time I've had to use masking tape after the gloss coat.


Jason

[BCR751]

When applying Archer rivet decals, it has been suggested to first coat the model with a clear gloss.  This will allow the decals to adhere better to the model surface.  Then apply the paint which, in some cases, would require masking.

Doug

[tom mann]

Gary, wheels are HO fine scale from proto87stores.com.

Doug,  since Future is designed for foot traffic, I would bet it is more durable than any other product.  It self-heals too!

[Wutter]

I'm not sure I understand the comment about peeling off the paint underneath the Pledge? You could also give it 1-2 light coats after putting down the rivet decals to really seal them onto the model.
It goes on really thinly, and I often use 1-2 extremely light coats (avoiding any noticeable buildup) on a freshly painted model before and after decaling to prevent any silvering.

This is right after its sealed and ready for weathering:


After weathering and sealed with Flat+Future:

(sorry for the shallow focus)

Also what I love about Future is that you can mix it with Tamiya's X-21 Flat Base to produce anything from a satin to a dead flat finish; sometimes I even use a mixture of the flat and Future on models before weathering to give the surface some tooth before other colors.

[GaryHinshaw]

Good tips Wutter.  Now please start a gallery with some more of your modeling work. That RI unit is outstanding!

[dougnelson]

I have used Pledge to prep models with matte paint prior to decaling.  It is perfect to spray right out of the bottle for a nice thin gloss coat.

Doug.

[Baronjutter]

I used to have a lot of troubles getting "perfect" seamless decals but ever since I started using future it's no problem.  It's great for glossing up window glazing and GLUING the glazing as well.  Just paint one side with future and press it up against the wall and you'll have a crystal clear scratch resistant glazing that won't fog up.  If you paint both sides it pretty much totally protects the plastic glazing from CA fogging as well. 

It also smells nice.