Klear/Future/Pledge and Weathering and Washes!

[Winenut]

Hi fellow modellers.

I have just used Future as a gloss coat for the first time.

I normally use Enamel or Lacquer glosscoats that I would weather easily with acrylic/water based washes and chalk/pastel water sludges

My question now is this......

With Future being acrylic .........what are my choices now for weathering?????

Can I still use watered down acrylics or will that soften/remove the Future coat?

Should I now used thinned enamels or oils for washes and panel lines. But what do I thin them with and clean them up with??

What about the pre-made stuff like Flory or Tamiya washes? Are they suitable for using on a Klear topcoat??? if so what can you safely clean them off with?

I understand you shouldn't use ammonia based anything on Future to clean up (I believe) but is Isopropyl Alcohol or Methylated spirits okay.

Is MicroSol and Micro Set still okay for settling decals that have been applied on a Future gloss coat

Can you use water to clean up at all on a dried Furture Top coat or is that just not on.

Any list of fluids/materials/thinning agents/weathering agents/solvents/aftermarket or specialist products etc that can be used safely for weathering and panel line highlights on a Future gloss coat would be greatly appreciated.

Happy modelling everyone!

Cheers

Bruce

[Procopius]

I've used Flory washes with no difficulty over Future (the US Klear); you just need to allow a day or so for it to cure fully first. I use microsol and microset on futured surfaces all the time; in some cases, this can make the klear soft again and possibly opaque; just don't touch it for an hour or two, and it should reharden. Water will do nothing to it. Watered down acrylics can be used as a wash, as can enamels thinned with enamel thinner (NOT lacquer thinner, ask me how I know), or oil paints thinned with mineral spirits.

[georgeusa]

I normally put a layer of Future down prior to dealing. I let that dry 24 hours. Then I use Micro Set/Sol for application of decals, no problems. Then seal the decals with another layer of Future, let dry for 24 hours and the use Flory washes without problems. Then I seal the Flory wash with what ever finish coat is appropriate. I have used Tamiya smoke on top of future that has dried for a day without problems. (I consider that a watered down acrylic wash for the most part.). I think the key is letting the Future coat dry at least 24 hours before you do anything on top of it. Hope this helps.

Edit: looks like while I was typing Procopius answered essentially the same thing; so what he said.

[Winenut]

Really appreciate the help and tips guys.

That Lacquer thinner on Klear combo sounds like it sent you to hell and back Procopious!

You mentioned oil paints thinned with "mineral spirits" I understand mineral spirits to be a refined form of paint thinner and a bit more expensive but a bit more odourless. Being a petroleum based product it still doesn't affect the dried acrylic Future in any way? That would be encouraging.

I'll have to check out the Flory washes.....sounds like they're popular across the board and are no danger to the Future top coat.

Thanks heaps for your thoughts guys....very helpful

[gcn]

Oil washes are fine over future. I'd give the future at least 24 hours to cure first, I thin the oil with Sansador, which is the W&N odourless thinner although I've used white spirit as well. I however prefer to apply washes over a flat finish

[ArmouredSprue]

As they said above, since Future is an acrylic medium you need to use enamel or oil paints thinned with weak medium like white spirits.

Again, don't work in one single spot for long that it can cause damage to the future coat underneath.