I've been reading up on the fact that some hobbyists use Pledge (previously called Future) Floorcare Multi Surface Finish to make their own primer or as a gloss varnish. Seems like it has undergone multiple name changes over the years and varying packaging remodels dependent upon where (and when) you live.
MY QUESTION:
Given that the above posts are a bit out of date I wanted to ask what version of Pledge people are using now as I have done some searches on ebay and found a couple of different ones and wasn't sure if they would yield the same result or not.
I've been using it for years and swear by it. From gloss coats, to sealing, to eyes to coating unpainted resin, it never fails. Self leveling, coating and adhering clear parts, I could go on forever...
I haven't tried it as a primer, but have sprayed over Vallejo primers to make them sandable and it works beautifully.
This quick eye test on the Moebius bride, two drops of Future and done to get a nice wet look (still need to paint the face and eyelids/lashes).
I'm pretty sure it's Pledge. I started with Future, but the last two were Pledge in the clear squeeze bottle. I can't get a photo of it, I end up pouring it into mason jars and smaller bottles for use. Wide mouth Ball Jars are good for dipping/soaking clear parts and I add it to so many different things, I just keep it within reach everywhere on the bench.
The bottle with the yellow and brown label in your first post is the current version. I noticed it for sale in my local Walmart just last week. I have 2 older vintage bottles, one actually called Future, and one called Pledge Floor Finish with Future.
Here is a thread on another forum about this latest bottle:
Just a heads up, for giggles I mixed some old Vallejo Poly primer (thinned) with an equal part Future and shot it on some spare styrene pieces. Went on very wet, which is a good thing, coverage was thin but I made a few passes. An hour after it was nice and tight, wouldn't rub off with my fingertip, could scratch it with a nail, but again, it was only an hour and a very thin application.
Certainly more hardy that straight Vallejo (without a long dry), so if nothing else, it's a good way to extend the primer usage, but regardless of the cash savings, if the sheen plays well with the coat, I think it'll be a nice addition to teh options.
Not sure if you've had a chance to have a look at the links I posted up top but in one of them (the britmodeller link I think) a guy posted that he mixed the pledge/future with tube paint from an art shop (I think it was Artiste range without looking). The paint in the tubes is of course pretty thick so where he mixed it in 50:50 it apparently made a good primer.
I think someone in the same thread also did what you mentioned i.e. mixed the pledge with vallejo (or similar) paints and it came out very thin (too thin for them I believe). They then went back and made a batch using artist's tube paint and it worked much better.
But defo good to know that you got a good finish even with a thin application.
Cheers
'Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little' Edmund Burke
