Airbrushing a Clear Coat with Future Floor Polish (or PFM as it's called now)

In this fun modeling technique video, I will go over how to airbrush an acrylic clear coat on a model using Pledge Floor Care Multi-Surface Finish or PFM (formerly called "Future"). PFM is a low cost product with many scale modeling applications. It airbrushes easily and is a great base for decals. I'll go over airbrush settings and spraying tips as well.

[@chrispacer4231]

Wish I knew this technique years ago when I first started building models… I use PLEDGE, one bottle last a long time… Anyways, this really helps with decals from silvering… Everything you just showed was very HELPFUL… This video was very ENTERTAINING and INFORMATIVE 😊… Another great Video Jon… You have my LIKE 👍… Have a great week PENNSYLVANIA 😬 CHRIS from OHIO 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻 HOBBY TIME ON……

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Right on, thanks, Chris! Snow time is go time for modeling 😉!

[@anthonyhendricks7377]

Fantastic video!!! I found a small town walmart that had several bottles of Future (12). I actually bought all of them. I build mostly car models. Also race Mini Z RC cars that have styrene bodies. Future is Fantastic on the little RC cars. The paint ( i buy bodies in white an paint myself with Acrylics) really lasts, and looks great with the Future applied. On models ive found its great for clear plastic! It takes away the toy like finish and the windows or canopy looks like real glass!! Keep yp the great videos. Looking forward to more projects.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@@anthonyhendricks7377 Thanks, Anthony!

[@giovannimusacchi2949]

"Future" or "PFM" are very effective to eliminate small scratches or foggy surface of clear parts. Just dip them into the above liquids and let dry.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Right on! It's a great product with lots of modeling applications. Cheers!

[@giovannimusacchi2949]

​@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 In addition, in my knowledge the dipping into Future/PFM of the clear canopies does prevent some damages (foggy results) from the fumes of cyano cement, when PE parts (mirrors, hooks, handles) are applied. Please, test on a scrap part before, because I've not checked yet this tip !

[@robertmann7277]

Great video

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks, Robert!

[@JohnSturrock]

I have a bottle of Future that's about 5 or 6 yrs. old and has a very light caramelly tint to it. Just from sitting around. Used it the other day to fix's a very scratch up front and rear wind shields on a Revell skill 2 57 chevy, I am working on. It turned out clear, no tint and most important no scratches. If the window come out tinted, I can always say it is a customized window tinting process that only i know how to do. More problem with runs and micro bubbles, but after a couple tries, get it. With just a very small, hard to see, only when you real look hard, after I point it out, and can be hidden under the window trim, run. That all.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Right on! I still use my old bottle of Future (also slightly tinted). It still gives great results whether I'm brush painting 🖌, airbrushing, or dipping clear parts in it. Cheers!

[@c123bthunderpig]

sounds like an excellent product that achieves just as good if not better than the prepackaged coatings. Plus saves tons of money. Best part of video was pressure setting that helps a lot. Cheers till the next one.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Right on!

[@MrSeniorJR]

Except that the manufacturer has eliminated this product from its production line….so…

[@franciscovenegas1810]

Hola Jon, felicitaciones excelente vídeo, en mi caso he probado varios tipos de "barnices" o ceras de piso, la marca future o pledge no llegan acá, sin embargo hay uno que es lo mismo con otro nombre de la misma empresa que fabrica el pledge, los resultados sobre pinturas acrílicas son de lo mejor, me permiten una aplicación de la calcas de forma pareja, iguala el brillo. Una vez sellado con la segunda capa, el paneleo se hace fácil, utilizo para ello líquido casero que hago, me gusta más el resultado de estos que los de tipo enamel, no daña el acabado y se quita fácil. Con el ensuciado es lo mismo, un buen resultado producto de la resistencia del "barniz/cera". Es por esto que lo prefiero a los barnices de marcas para modelismo, muy caros y en envases pequeños. Tampoco diluyo el barniz/cera, directo al aerógrafo. Saludos y hasta el próximo video

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

¡Muy genial! Siempre es bueno encontrar productos que funcionen bien para ti. ¿Cómo se llama el producto que utilizas? Sería una buena referencia para los modelistas que no tienen acceso a PFM. Además, me enteré de que PFM se suspendió en los EE. UU. después de hacer este video. ¡Estoy muy decepcionado! ¡Salud!

[@franciscovenegas1810]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 Hello Jon, thank you for responding, the brand that I use here in Chile is called Blem, wax for plastic floors, when you see the container the label looks similar to the product you use from the Pledge brand, Blem is also manufactured by Jhonson & Jhonson, the only one The difference is that it is white, milk type, so I should use this same product there with the Pledge brand, greetings

[@maydaypc]

Hey Jon, you mentioned that it doesn't yellow. I have a bottle of original Future (I bought 15 years ago). It was crystal clear, but now it is yellowish liquid. I think it yellows over time. But, considering thin layer of application, it may not be noticable.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Interesting. I have several 20 year old kits that I finished with Future that show no signs of yellowing vs. ones finished with Testors Glosscoat that yellowed very soon after I built them. So, it's less prone to yellowing than some other products.

[@johncahill3644]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 I also have both a very old bottle which has yellowed as well as old models with Future that have not yellowed. I think the cured form is stable (assuming it is used while still clear).

[@kellypainter7625]

I like to do a coat of Future and then apply decals and put a drop on the decal. It is weird how the decal scrunches up at first but then smooths out like it was painted on. Then I put another coat of Future on with a little bit of baby powder mixed in to get a nice matte finish over the entire model.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Great tips. Thank you!

[@marcoribeiro8911]

Boa tarde meu amigo... interessante esses vernizes ... Ótimas montagens em 2024.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Obrigado!

[@ibidesign]

Excellent video...impressively detailed about all required facts. Now if you can tell us where you can find this product since it was discontinued years ago.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

A quick check showed some available on eBay and Amazon, but it was expensive. I had no idea it had been discontinued. I'll have to use mine sparingly. Cheers!

[@natalebabbo-gunplaanddioramas]

PFM is excellent. Unfortunately it’s not available here in Italy. I’ve only one bottle purchased back some time ago while in U.S. and I use it to protect clear plastic (canopies etc.). It works wonders. Thank you for the good video.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Since making this video, I have learned that this product has been discontinued in the US as well (just like my favorite PolyScale paints). 😪

[@natalebabbo-gunplaanddioramas]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 stock it up while supplies last! I’m looking at similar products over here but so far no luck……

[@robertmunoz7543]

My metal finish clear coat has been testors metalizer because it works on all paint manufacturers & doesn't dull finish. Before it was discountinued I bought as many bottles online I could find.😁 Jman

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Good idea!

[@robertmunoz7543]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 that was the sealer I meant,the paints were good for their time!🤔 Jman

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@@robertmunoz7543 Right on!

[@SCSuperheavy114]

Hey Jon, great tips! I have a bottle of future from 20 years ago that still does the trick. I’ve used both Mr Clear and Tamiya clear. They each have there own benefits but like you say the future is more forgiving if you over apply. Thanks!

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

You're welcome! It's a great product with many modeling applications. And, as you said, a bottle lasts almost forever. Cheers!

[@l3stat]

A question, what do you use to clean the airbrush after applying the Pledge? Greetings and good work.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

I use water for the airbrush and soap & water for the cup. I use fine steel wool and water for the needle and tip. Cheers!

[@DM-uk3dp]

If you like yellow clearcoat and fingerprints in your finish future or pfm is great. Otherwise 2k clear is the only way to go if you want a clear hard coat shine.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

If you're getting fingerprints, you may be applying it too thick and/or not letting it dry long enough. Also, I wear nitrile gloves when handling the model after exterior paint is applied. It keeps the oils from your hands from interacting with the paint. Thanks for the tip on the 2k clear. Cheers!

[@hidalgohouse3815]

AGAIN they've changed the brand name..is it Pledge Revive now? Amazon doesn't show PFM anymore. Would Quick Shine be close as well?

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Great question! I don't know of a direct equivalent product. I haven't tried the Quick Shine. I'll be sad when my bottle of PFM runs out!

[@gsr4535]

I'll never stop calling it Future! Hahaha

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

I know. It was hard to call it PFM while making the video. Cheers!

[@NeoPest]

unfortunately this product was discontinued over a year ago and is no longer available, and johnson does not make another similar product. Quick Shine Floor Finish is similar but not as good. it sags and runs more easily and requires lighter and more careful application

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

That's not good 😐.

[@boblobla1611]

This is the first I've heard of this soooo I did a google search. Prices on E Bay start at $60 and go up from there. The real shocker was Amazon where someone has a 27 oz bottle listed at (FACE PALM PROTECTION ALERT!) $107! I had some of the Bona hardwood floor polish, if I still have it I'll have to see how it works. If I do, and it does work I'll let you all know.

[@boblobla1611]

So, it turns out I didn't have the Bona floor polish any longer, but I did run across a couple of reviews of Quick Shine floor polish from Barbatos Rex and HPIguys workshop thatt seem very promising.

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

@@boblobla1611 Thank you. Let us know how it works. Cheers!

[@boblobla1611]

@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 I btought a bottle o Quick Shine at my local Wal-Mart and did a bit o testing with it. It airbrushes like Future and seems to have the same durability to masking and weathering. The only downside is that as a canopy dip it has a slight matte look to it so I'll be reserving the rest of my Future for that. I didn't try brushing it on so can't really give any insight as to how that might work,

[@vgramatski]

Does it contain ammonium hydroxide? Can you point to a store where I can order this from the United States? Or, at least, what's the current name of the product, is it still Pledge Floor Polish? Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be available anywhere in the EU anymore, not even under the "local" J&J label Pronto...

[@MrSeniorJR]

It has been discontinued by the manufacturer….

[@vgramatski]

@@MrSeniorJR ah, that is sad to hear.. anyway, thanks for the info!

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Though you can still find bottles for sale on eBay and Amazon, they are expensive. I had no idea it was discontinued here until after I made the video. Cheers!

[@tompintamini7722]

unfortunatly this product is not available in my country .

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

I'm sorry to hear that.

[@MrSeniorJR]

SC Johnson has discontinued this product over a year ago…..

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Thanks for the heads-up! I had no idea until after I made the video. Bottles are still available on Amazon and eBay, but they're quite expensive. Cheers!

[@Kryten4000]

​@@jonsmodelkitreview4624 I would be very wary about buying something like that from ebay or amazon. Since the bottles are not factory sealed you can never really be sure what you are getting. Especially once word gets out that it's been discontinued I wouldn't put it past some unscrupulous characters to take advantage of the situation.

[@OUTDOOR_SCALE_MODELS]

It's been completely discontinued RIP future/pledge

[@jonsmodelkitreview4624]

Yep, I found out after making the video. 😪 I guess I need to make my 1/2 bottle last as long as possible. Cheers!