Future as setting solution

Got a question about techniques, materials or other aspects of physically building a model? This is the place to ask.

Moderators: DasPhule, Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Glorfindel
Posts: 1544
Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 7:00 pm
Location: Long Island, NY

Future as setting solution

Post by Glorfindel »

Reading up on laying decals down I came across a method where guys are watering down Future, perhaps 1:1 ratio, then brushing that on the model where the decal would go. Once the decal is ready it is placed onto the wet Future. When that dries then more Future is AB on top. Any body try this method here? It calls for no use of Sol or Set.
Buck Laughlin: [after Beatrice the dog jumps up on the show judge] He went for her like she's made outta ham.
~Best in Show, 2000
User avatar
Kylwell
Moderator
Posts: 29643
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2003 9:25 pm
Location: Lakewood, CO
Contact:

Post by Kylwell »

It work for smooth, regular surfaces with thin decals. Anything convoluted or thick decals and the decal won't conform to the surface.
Abolish Alliteration
Kekker
Posts: 2510
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2002 4:38 pm
Location: Portsmouth, VA
Contact:

Post by Kekker »

Yes. It works pretty well. The Future dries and sucks the decal down. Personally I thin it a little with water, about 50/50. This will reduce any edge between the puddle and the surroundings.

Definitely no setting/sol solutions - they can interact with the Future and make it clot or worse, solidify and turn white (been there!).

The second coat (the next day) helps seal it in and blend it with the paint. I use an overall coat followed by the flat.

I don't always use this method, but it works pretty well and I almost never get silvering.

Kev
User avatar
Harry Joy
Posts: 376
Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:31 am
Location: Memphis

Post by Harry Joy »

Kylwell wrote:It work for smooth, regular surfaces with thin decals. Anything convoluted or thick decals and the decal won't conform to the surface.
Not correct. Take a look at this mid-60s Monogram Helldiver I made last year, using 40 year old decals from the box. The decals were affixed with non-thinned Future. The decals were loosened with water, Future was brushed on the model where the decal was to go, then Future was brushed over them. You've got to let them then sit overnight - don't touch them for 24 hours. They will look like hell at first, then snuggle up tight.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/ ... rc5-1h.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/ ... rc5-1i.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/ ... rc5-1j.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/ ... rc5-1g.jpg
User avatar
Mr. Badwrench
Posts: 9587
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2002 6:31 pm
Location: Wheatridge, Co.

Post by Mr. Badwrench »

That worked pretty well Harry. I would expect those old, thick panel lines to cause trouble, but the pics clearly show that the decals snugged down nicely over them. I've always been afraid to try this method, but I may give it a shot.
I speak of the pompatous of plastic.
User avatar
Kylwell
Moderator
Posts: 29643
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2003 9:25 pm
Location: Lakewood, CO
Contact:

Post by Kylwell »

My issue has been with (truely) thick decals and compound curved surfaces. Admittedly my history with Future as a decal setting solution are minimal but that's both what I've read and experienced. Microsol & Microset work jest fine for me.
Abolish Alliteration
User avatar
Big Game Nerd
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Dec 24, 2009 1:52 pm
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan USA

Post by Big Game Nerd »

Future works great for me. I have always had great luck with it. I do thin it 50/50 myself. Also, I let it completely dry before putting decals over it, then apply more future once the decals have totally set.
User avatar
Lt. Z0mBe
Posts: 7311
Joined: Thu May 29, 2003 1:46 pm
Location: Balltown Kentucky, by God!
Contact:

Re: Future as setting solution

Post by Lt. Z0mBe »

Glorfindel wrote:Reading up on laying decals down I came across a method where guys are watering down Future, perhaps 1:1 ratio, then brushing that on the model where the decal would go. Once the decal is ready it is placed onto the wet Future. When that dries then more Future is AB on top. Any body try this method here? It calls for no use of Sol or Set.
It's the only way I go. The exception is, of course, ridiculously textured surfaces. In those instances, the Future can't pull down strongly enough. and leaves a bubble. It's an easy fix on a flat area, but not in curvy places.

That's how I applied the ordnance stripes around 1/72 AMRAAM's the other night. Talk about tiny. But, the Future did the job. The TRICK to the method is you need to be doing this over an already cured coat of Future, so that as the decal Future dries, it "melts" down on the existing coat, taking the decal with it.

I hope this helps.

Kenny

www.sigmalabsinc.com


Onward, proud eagle, to thee the cloud must yield.
User avatar
Glorfindel
Posts: 1544
Joined: Sat May 02, 2009 7:00 pm
Location: Long Island, NY

Post by Glorfindel »

I just tried the 50/50 wet Future as a setting solution and I found it to be pretty much equally as effective as Micro Sol/Set. It's an additional technique that's good to know.
Buck Laughlin: [after Beatrice the dog jumps up on the show judge] He went for her like she's made outta ham.
~Best in Show, 2000
User avatar
The Arbiter
Posts: 1915
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:46 am
Location: Lynchburg VA, USA, Earth, Sol System - Sector 001, Grid 165, Milky Way Galaxy, Species 5618
Contact:

Post by The Arbiter »

Harry Joy wrote:
Kylwell wrote:It work for smooth, regular surfaces with thin decals. Anything convoluted or thick decals and the decal won't conform to the surface.
Not correct. Take a look at this mid-60s Monogram Helldiver I made last year, using 40 year old decals from the box. The decals were affixed with non-thinned Future. The decals were loosened with water, Future was brushed on the model where the decal was to go, then Future was brushed over them. You've got to let them then sit overnight - don't touch them for 24 hours. They will look like hell at first, then snuggle up tight.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/ ... rc5-1h.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/ ... rc5-1i.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/ ... rc5-1j.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/ ... rc5-1g.jpg
Very cool, I had that exact same model back in the mid 70's.
"Is this a beer I see before me, the bottle toward my hand? Come, let me drink thee. I have thee not, and yet I taste thee still... art thou not, tasty vision, sensible, to taste-buds as to sight?" - Shakesbeer
Post Reply