How to use Clear-Coat?

[Charlweed]

I’ve just spent many hours creating and applying custom water-slide decals to a rocket. Without protection, I’m sure some of them will not survive a landing. Clear-Coat seems to be the recommended solution, but I’ve not gotten good results on previous attempts. I end up with everything under the coat looking matte, even when it was a beautiful gloss before.
Any tips?

Thanks!

Charlweed

[mycrofte]

My last attempt to clear coat ended up half & half with some spots beaded.
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[CPMcGraw]

Which clear-coat are you using? There are a number of acrylic sprays available, in gloss, satin (or semi-gloss), and matte.

Many of us are using a product which used to be called "Future Floor Finish", which is just as it sounds - a floor coating product. It can be sprayed with an airbrush without thinning (30 psi or better), and tends to hold up well once cured for a couple of days. Brush clean-up is just blowing hot water through it.

[Charlweed]

I have tried Ace clear Lacquer, And Rustoleum clear enamel. I hope I can find "Future Floor Finish" at Ace, Home Depot, Lowes, or Orchard Hardware Supply. You wrote airbrush, so I wont look for an spray can. I have a very old Testor's airbrush set, I hope it can work with FFF. Any other application tips?

[Doug Sams]

I hope I can find "Future Floor Finish" at Ace, Home Depot, Lowes, or Orchard Hardware Supply. Try the supermarket.

BTW, it's now called Pledge® Premium Finish with Future® Shine (http://www.scjohnson.com/en/products/asked-and-answered/ask-question-comment.aspx?title=Where-is-Future-Floor-Wax).

HTH.

Doug

.

[chrism]

I have tried Ace clear Lacquer, And Rustoleum clear enamel. I hope I can find "Future Floor Finish" at Ace, Home Depot, Lowes, or Orchard Hardware Supply. You wrote airbrush, so I wont look for an spray can. I have a very old Testor's airbrush set, I hope it can work with FFF. Any other application tips?


It also can be brushed on. just use a good quality brush or sponge brushes. Because Future is water-based, it will level out elinimating the brush strokes.

[CPMcGraw]

Try the supermarket.

BTW, it's now called Pledge® Premium Finish with Future® Shine (http://www.scjohnson.com/en/products/asked-and-answered/ask-question-comment.aspx?title=Where-is-Future-Floor-Wax).

HTH.

Doug

.

The bottle looks like this now (see attachment).

[vigilante]

Don't you guys thin this stuff with Simple Green?

[chrism]

Don't you guys thin this stuff with Simple Green?


Future does not need to be thinned to use. Some add Simple Green to Future to get a glossier finish when it dries.

[Charlweed]

Future does not need to be thinned to use. Some add Simple Green to Future to get a glossier finish when it dries.
Thanks to all for the info. I want maximum gloss. So which "Simple Green" should I thin the Future shine with?

[Charlweed]

For the record, as of 06/28/2012, the same product, upc 046500001826 is now called
"Pledge® Tile & Vinyl Floor Finish with Future® Shine" And looks like this:
http://www.pledge.com/PublishingImages/Products/TileVinylFloorFinishwithFutureShine_L.jpg

Yet more SC Johnson re-branding (http://www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com/en-us/products-by-brand/pledge/pledge-tile--
vinyl-floor-finish-with-future-shine-1.aspx)

I will brush apply it to a test surface tomorrow.

Thanks again!

[jetlag]

It works fantastically! You will be pleased with the results.

Allen

[samb]

I really like the "... durable acrylic protection" part. I apply it with a sponge just like you'd use on the floor. Stand the piece up and wick up any extra that collects at the bottom of the piece with a paper towel. Fast and easy, and your decals and paint will thank you.

[VonMises]

good stuff

[Charlweed]

I used a 4 Pledge / 1 Simple green. I used two coats, with a day in between applications. 4 of 4 rockets look great so far, and the decals are secure under the finish.

Any tips on maintaining the finish? If my rocket hits moist dirt, just wipe and reapply?

Charlweed

[chrism]

Post pics of your work!