Gloss coats: Klear/Future/Pledge vs Branded coats

[flyjoe180]

I've been scouring a few modelling forums for information and techniques for painting, weathering, and finishing models.

The question of gloss coating after painting has arisen many times. I know why and how, but a few questions remain.

1. Future/Klear/Pledge: seems to have as many people hating the stuff with issues over peeling and dis-colourisation, as it does those who have no issues and love it as a cheap alternative. What is the NZ version of this? I've seen this article I was directed to in another thread (www.swannysmodels.com/TheCompleteFuture.html).

I'm not too keen on this Klear/Pledge method. First I don't want to risk a paint job getting screwed up. Secondly I am not making enough kits to worry about the cost of gloss coating.

2. What is the best brand of gloss coat to use if I do not want to risk the floor cleaner alternative? I have found a few brands, all of which seem to have received good reviews.

3. When you gloss coat the model, do you then gloss coat it after applying decals and then panel wash it, followed by another gloss coat to seal it before weathering? Or is the weathering done with the final matt coat? I think I have the weathering techniques sorted, I have used a few old kits and played with pastels etc.

I have found and read Callum's excellent 'Ham Fisted Modeller' blog entries. Very handy and helpful, cheers Callum if you read this! a4-alley.x90x.net/models/Guides/guides-index.html

Any advice is welcome, thanks guys. I hope to have one or two basic kits done in the next few months as I finally get started again.

[flyjoe180]

I have read this thread, which also uses the link I provided above.
www.rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=modeltips&action=display&thread=15121

But what is the actual Klear replacement called?

[alanw]

Hi Joe

I have an old bottle of "Kleer" and thus far
have only used it to dip transparencies.

I guess the one thing about Kleer is that because
it's an "Acrylic" you can remove it with window cleaner
and save your paint job.

I'm not sure what the "Re-issued" brand is called, I have looked
at Countdown and Pak N Save in Henderson, and not seen anything
like it.

Gloss Coating

With any Enamel, you could end up ruining
your whole paint job (especiall if it yellows), and having had to strip paint off a few models, it's no fun (not because of my Gloss coat).

Up until now I have used Humbrol Gloss coat to
lay down over my paint job, decal then either
semi gloss or matt coat to seal.

It really depends on you, I have read mixed reviews
about Humbrol, but my aircraft still seem to be ok.
You can re-gloss coat you model to seal the decals,
then weather, then your final coat.

Personally I gloss coat, decal, then weather, then seal with
semi gloss or matt

Regards

Alan

[corsair67]

I've noticed that the SC Johnson and Sons Australian website mentions the product "Pledge - One Go", but there is no mention of it on the company's New Zealand site.

[flyjoe180]

Thanks so much for the information Alan. You are always handy with this stuff. Craig, thanks, but I have yet to actually see anything like it on the shelves. I will be using a mainstream gloss coat, probably Humbrol or Tamiya.