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Future Clear Coats - 2020
JPTRR
Staff MemberManaging Editor
RAILROAD MODELING
#051
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Tennessee, United States
Joined: December 21, 2002
KitMaker: 7,772 posts
AeroScale: 3,175 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - 12:23 PM UTC
Hi Group,

I seek your input and experience.

Future floor polish has been discussed and debate for a long time. I became a big fan of it about 20 years ago.

But a few years ago S.C. Johnson changed the name to Pledge FloorCare, and now to Pledge Floor Gloss. I've read in modeling forums and company forums) that it is the same formula as the Future of old.

But is it? The past several models I've glossed with Future/Pledge have not cured to a smooth glossy coat. For instance, my Italeri H-21 received three heavy coats and yet never glossed as I am used to. Ditto several other recent models.

Any of you who use it, how is it working for you?

Thanks!
Lakota
#123
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New Mexico, United States
Joined: November 17, 2008
KitMaker: 1,202 posts
AeroScale: 292 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - 01:39 PM UTC
Thanks for bringing this up. It's something I've wanted to know but was afraid to ask. My bottle of Future has yellowed a little, it's about 14 years old. I want to replace it but I've had the same concerns you raise.
Take care and stay safe,
Don "Lakota"
gastec
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: February 03, 2014
KitMaker: 1,042 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - 02:45 PM UTC
Been using this ever since Klear/Future became unavailable in NZ - https://www.bunnings.co.nz/long-life-1l-self-shining-floor-polish_p4460498

Gary
GazzaS
#424
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Queensland, Australia
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - 08:50 PM UTC
I'm using Future on every model. Never had any problems. I generally thin it 50/50 with Windex or another blue type glass cleaner. The bottle I'm using is about 5 years old and appears slightly foggy, but not yellowed. The bottle says Pledge Floor Care.

I've never had tackiness issues. The only time I ever got less than I wanted was when I thinned Tamiya Panzer Gray with water. The resultant paint was so matte that weathering it was a PITA as capillary action was taking the oils far from where I placed them.

I also thin tube acrylics with it. Makes for a nice, hard, but smooth surface.

Love the stuff!

Gaz
SgtRam
Staff MemberEditor-at-Large
AEROSCALE
#197
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 06, 2011
KitMaker: 3,971 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 08:12 AM UTC
I have no issues, but I bought a rather large stash of it when there was a rumour it was going away sometime ago. I am on my last bottle, so guess I will find out in the near future...
phantom_phanatic309
#372
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United Kingdom
Joined: March 10, 2010
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Posted: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 09:24 AM UTC
I've got about half a bottle and it's still doing the job perfectly. Have a couple more stashed away.... somewhere.
I tend to brush it with a wide flat synthetic brush and always get great results. Tried airbrushing it once, but I was a bit heavy handed and just made a runny mess.

I've not found anything yet in gloss that's as user friendly. Humbrol Gloss Cote for instance is a little thick, often dries tacky and reacts badly to oil washes.
Vallejo's Modelair gloss sprays well and has a lovely shiny finish, but goes milky if you use Microsol and Set. Had some issues with that when I did the Airfix Whitley in the all black scheme.
JPTRR
Staff MemberManaging Editor
RAILROAD MODELING
#051
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Tennessee, United States
Joined: December 21, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 09:54 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I also thin tube acrylics with it. Makes for a nice, hard, but smooth surface.



Gaz, I also use Future to create washes and even thinner to airbrush some paints.

I also use Future as a glue, i.e., P/E railings on ships and to attach clear pieces. Previously mentioned H-21 - I used Future to 'glue' the P/E windscreen wiper to the canopy.
JPTRR
Staff MemberManaging Editor
RAILROAD MODELING
#051
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Tennessee, United States
Joined: December 21, 2002
KitMaker: 7,772 posts
AeroScale: 3,175 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 09:56 AM UTC
To be clear, are you all referring to Future, or today's iteration Pledge?
phantom_phanatic309
#372
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United Kingdom
Joined: March 10, 2010
KitMaker: 2,568 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 10:27 AM UTC

Quoted Text

To be clear, are you all referring to Future, or today's iteration Pledge?



Mines an old bottle of Johnson's Klear.
brekinapez
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Georgia, United States
Joined: July 26, 2013
KitMaker: 2,272 posts
AeroScale: 158 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 - 11:15 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I have no issues, but I bought a rather large stash of it when there was a rumour it was going away sometime ago. I am on my last bottle, so guess I will find out in the near future...



All_You_Can_Kit
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Joined: August 22, 2012
KitMaker: 599 posts
AeroScale: 29 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2020 - 11:11 AM UTC
Hi mate JPTRR,

May I join this thread? Since my post in Armorama has not been responded yet from anybody there:Question: Clear Coat Product Alternative

and some friends' criticism on the first and a few next replies at http://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/284747&ord=&page=1 may be including my such question . No problem, I really just simply asking, because modeler's problem in one country may differ in another.



Hope that my reply is not out of topic, this is may be classified as a classic issue. Pretty sure that things so different since Klear is discontinued. Also, Future or Pledge are very rare in several countries, including mine.

Since I want cheaper alternative products, but still come in huge volume packing and performs as good as Klear/Future/Pledge, for clear coating my first try on F-14, I found one named "Bona" available at Ace Hardware store near my hometown. But before go further with it, I just want to make sure that such product are really suitable for plastic kits. Question:

1. Have you ever tried it, if available in your country?

2. If so, which one is more suitable for plastic kits between:

labeled for "Stone, Tile, & Laminate Floor Polish"


and

labeled for "Hardwood Floor Polish"


In addition, I also discover that the such product contains 'wax' as follows:


I'm a little bit confident to go with it since its purpose as "finisher", not a "cleaner", but in the other hand, I also don't expect for a nightmare on finishing stage just because mistaken of choosing wrong stuff, since I want to make sure that my first try is going smooth

Many thanks



Kind regards from Indonesia


Garry
TimReynaga
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
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California, United States
Joined: May 03, 2006
KitMaker: 2,500 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2020 - 11:38 AM UTC
Here in the United States, I've had good results with Pledge "Revive It", which is the current guise of the old Future.

It is not only a good clear gloss coat, but can be used as a matte or semi-matte coat with the addition of Tamiya Flat Base - a combination sometimes referred to as “flat Future.”

I used this on my 1/72 Airfix Spitfire – Pledge "Revive It" (Future acrylic) with Tamiya Flat Base (3:1 ratio).
All_You_Can_Kit
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Joined: August 22, 2012
KitMaker: 599 posts
AeroScale: 29 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2020 - 11:54 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Here in the United States, I've had good results with Pledge "Revive It", which is the current guise of the old Future.

It is not only a good clear gloss coat...



Many thanks for your fast reply Tim

Unfortunately in Indonesia, no transparent/clear Pledge available so far. The only Pledge available here are those coming with clear yellow liquid (natural orange oil):
https://www.google.com/search?q=pledge+revive+it&safe=strict&client=firefox-b-d&sa=X&tbm=shop&tbs=vw:g&ved=0ahUKEwiS4_fK853pAhWNSH0KHdTbAu0QvQ0InwE&biw=1366&bih=654


I'm not sure that such thing will be working as a perfect match for finishing an aircraft model. I start to think that the best way to deeply know about Bona is by performing trial & error...

But is it worth to go with 1,09 litre (36 Oz) of it for about USD 19.49, only for such a trial?


Regards


Garry
All_You_Can_Kit
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Joined: August 22, 2012
KitMaker: 599 posts
AeroScale: 29 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2020 - 12:09 PM UTC

Quoted Text


I used this on my 1/72 Airfix Spitfire – Pledge "Revive It" (Future acrylic) with Tamiya Flat Base (3:1 ratio).



Very much adorable spitfire, by the way!
Lakota
#123
_VISITCOMMUNITY
New Mexico, United States
Joined: November 17, 2008
KitMaker: 1,202 posts
AeroScale: 292 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2020 - 12:34 PM UTC
Howdy Y'all
I took a look at the product Gary supplied a link for and I wonder how that would work.
It looks like the product that used to be "Future" but of course with a different name and package.
Gary-if you get a liter it should last for many models. I still have my original bottle just because I don't use it much. I use Testor's rattlecan gloss laquer for most of my gloss coating. I would get too heavy handed with Future and make a mess or I would go too light and need a second coat. One of my least favorite things to do is clean the airbrush. Of course I would spend less on gloss coating if I just got back to using Future more often.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"
Kevlar06
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Washington, United States
Joined: March 15, 2009
KitMaker: 3,670 posts
AeroScale: 833 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2020 - 12:41 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi mate JPTRR,

May I join this thread? Since my post in Armorama has not been responded yet from anybody there:Question: Clear Coat Product Alternative

and some friends' criticism on the first and a few next replies at http://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/284747&ord=&page=1 may be including my such question . No problem, I really just simply asking, because modeler's problem in one country may differ in another.



Hope that my reply is not out of topic, this is may be classified as a classic issue. Pretty sure that things so different since Klear is discontinued. Also, Future or Pledge are very rare in several countries, including mine.

Since I want cheaper alternative products, but still come in huge volume packing and performs as good as Klear/Future/Pledge, for clear coating my first try on F-14, I found one named "Bona" available at Ace Hardware store near my hometown. But before go further with it, I just want to make sure that such product are really suitable for plastic kits. Question:

1. Have you ever tried it, if available in your country?

2. If so, which one is more suitable for plastic kits between:

labeled for "Stone, Tile, & Laminate Floor Polish"


and

labeled for "Hardwood Floor Polish"


In addition, I also discover that the such product contains 'wax' as follows:


I'm a little bit confident to go with it since its purpose as "finisher", not a "cleaner", but in the other hand, I also don't expect for a nightmare on finishing stage just because mistaken of choosing wrong stuff, since I want to make sure that my first try is going smooth

Many thanks



Kind regards from Indonesia


Garry



Garry,Don, et. Al.
Do not, under any circumstances, use Bona products on model finishes!!!!! I’ve used BONA products for several years and have several of their floor care finishes currently in my cleaning cupboard— including the two you show above. I use them all the time to clean and polish my hardwood and tile floors. These are penetrating polishes containing surfactant chemicals and wax—to remove dirt and give a sheen to wood or tile floors, and they are not formulated at all like Future, Pledge With Future or Kleer, which are pure acrylics. Bona products may remove paint, or make your model oily or waxy to the touch, they won’t give you a clear acrylic gloss finish like Future will. they do work well on floors though.
VR, Russ
drabslab
_VISITCOMMUNITY
European Union
Joined: September 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,186 posts
AeroScale: 1,587 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 06, 2020 - 12:09 AM UTC
A number of years ago I asked the producer of Future floor polish (when it was taken from the market) if there was any other polish in their range that was identical to future.

The answer was a very clear NO.

Pledge and other floor waxes may have similar effects but they are not the same.

i could not get any info on the composition of future, or info on potential competitors makign the same stuff
Kevlar06
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Washington, United States
Joined: March 15, 2009
KitMaker: 3,670 posts
AeroScale: 833 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 06, 2020 - 05:27 AM UTC

Quoted Text

A number of years ago I asked the producer of Future floor polish (when it was taken from the market) if there was any other polish in their range that was identical to future.

The answer was a very clear NO.

Pledge and other floor waxes may have similar effects but they are not the same.

i could not get any info on the composition of future, or info on potential competitors makign the same stuff



Here in the states, Pledge with Future is the same thing as regular (old labeling) “Future”. When seeking out a finish coat for model purposes, one should always look for the word “acrylic” in the labeling. Waxes are transitory, and many products carry waxes for “shine” but they are lousy for models (as do the Bona products above). Bona is a two step cleaning process for floors, using their microfiber cloths and mops. They contain no acrylic compounds. Future is a true acrylic gloss coat. But my quart bottle of Future sits on the shelf, unused, since I discovered the best, most forgiving gloss coat manufactured— Alclad Clear gloss. I haven’t touched my Future for at least 8 years since I discovers Alclad clear coats. Occasionally, if I vac a canopy, I’ll use future before using cyanocrylate glues, by that’s about it. Alclad gloss clear will paint right over clear kit parts with no problem.
VR, Russ
All_You_Can_Kit
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Joined: August 22, 2012
KitMaker: 599 posts
AeroScale: 29 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2020 - 04:12 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Garry,Don, et. Al.
Do not, under any circumstances, use Bona products on model finishes!!!!! I’ve used BONA products for several years and have several of their floor care finishes currently in my cleaning cupboard— including the two you show above. I use them all the time to clean and polish my hardwood and tile floors. These are penetrating polishes containing surfactant chemicals and wax—to remove dirt and give a sheen to wood or tile floors, and they are not formulated at all like Future, Pledge With Future or Kleer, which are pure acrylics. Bona products may remove paint, or make your model oily or waxy to the touch, they won’t give you a clear acrylic gloss finish like Future will. they do work well on floors though.
VR, Russ



Finally thanks God, to inspiring me for asking first, here. Also many thanks Russ for your well-clear explanation. Make me feels better to not step on the wrong path and the most important, avoid accident to my models for good!


Warm regards from Indonesia


Garry
All_You_Can_Kit
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Joined: August 22, 2012
KitMaker: 599 posts
AeroScale: 29 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2020 - 04:28 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Howdy Y'all
I took a look at the product Gary supplied a link for and I wonder how that would work.
It looks like the product that used to be "Future" but of course with a different name and package.



As Russ suggest, I agree, it's absolutely true to avoid it. And it's better to ask here first , since so many outside similar products imported to Indonesia which I never have experience with them in any form of use.

No problem and thanks also for your opinion. It's finally clear, mate



Quoted Text

Gary-if you get a liter it should last for many models. I still have my original bottle just because I don't use it much. I use Testor's rattlecan gloss laquer for most of my gloss coating. I would get too heavy handed with Future and make a mess or I would go too light and need a second coat. One of my least favorite things to do is clean the airbrush. Of course I would spend less on gloss coating if I just got back to using Future more often.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"



Sure, highly appreciate for your opinion. Enriching my perspective. Even I already got Tamiya and Mr. Color clear paint in hand, still curious... Just want to make sure for possibility to use more pocket-friendly product, without mixing with specific product for modeling, if it can be done, and just if it possible.

Many thanks again for your share Don



Cheers,


Garry
Kevlar06
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Washington, United States
Joined: March 15, 2009
KitMaker: 3,670 posts
AeroScale: 833 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2020 - 04:37 AM UTC
Garry, if you can find Alclad products in Indonesia, give Alclad clear gloss a try. It works the best and can be airbrushed right over canopies as well in light coats giving a crystal clear shine. The only problem I’ve experienced with it is keeping the cap clean, if you don’t, it’ll stick to the bottle and it’s the devil to get off.
VR, Russ
All_You_Can_Kit
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Joined: August 22, 2012
KitMaker: 599 posts
AeroScale: 29 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2020 - 04:38 AM UTC

Quoted Text



The answer was a very clear NO.

Pledge and other floor waxes may have similar effects but they are not the same.




Well-done explained, mate! It means, no more choices so far, I have to used specific stuff indeed. Many thanks for your brilliant sharing, sir


Kind regards,


Garry
Eberg801
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United States
Joined: May 07, 2020
KitMaker: 1 posts
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Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2020 - 06:42 AM UTC
By all means do not use the Bona product which is great for cleaning wood floors but could wipe your paint job off if you use acrylics. Future is great as long as you don’t get carried away with too much coverage. Repeated Light mists only! So are the mentioned Alclad II lacquer clear coats as long as you don’t touch the finish for a couple of days. Tarnishes with skin oils. There’s always the reliable and user friendly Testor’s Gloss Kote and Dull Kote lacquer products if you can get those.

Cheers Eric
Kevlar06
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Washington, United States
Joined: March 15, 2009
KitMaker: 3,670 posts
AeroScale: 833 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2020 - 07:42 AM UTC

Quoted Text

By all means do not use the Bona product which is great for cleaning wood floors but could wipe your paint job off if you use acrylics. Future is great as long as you don’t get carried away with too much coverage. Repeated Light mists only! So are the mentioned Alclad II lacquer clear coats as long as you don’t touch the finish for a couple of days. Tarnishes with skin oils. There’s always the reliable and user friendly Testor’s Gloss Kote and Dull Kote lacquer products if you can get those.

Cheers Eric



I have to disagree about the Testors/Alclad II Gloss coats. I’ve found Alclad Gloss coat far superior to Testors Gloss, dries much faster, super hard, and more importantly, can be applied right over clear parts, whereas Testors can’t. I’ve never had a problem with “tarnishing” of the Alclad clears— I’ve tried them all and they work fine. But, another product which can be used with some success is Testors Sealer for Metalizers, which provides a thin, semi-gloss surface ideal for paint finishes. However, now that Rustoleum has discontinued the Testor’s MM paint line, it remains to be seen if these Testor’s products will continue to remain available.
VR, Russ
Grauwolf
#084
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: September 14, 2005
KitMaker: 2,485 posts
AeroScale: 95 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2020 - 11:42 AM UTC
Hi Russ,
There seems to be 2 type of finishing coats in the Alcad line,
the lacquer and the aqua gloss.
Which one are you referring to?
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