I have read all the comments on future for decals but want to know if the model can be sprayed with future or other gloss coat right out of the box, before assembly and then painted. Or should the model be assembled and painted then apply future for the decals and weathering? A dull coat would would be the last step.

Clean the model (wash it with detergent).
Assemble the model and then clean again
apply paint and detail paint
apply future
apply decals
apply future
add your washes
seal using a dull cote
add any pigments then sit back and decide what's next.

Darren, where do you get this stuff in the UK? I haven't seen any in Northern Ireland shops for quite a few years.

(Sorry about the hi-jack Bob!)

Most large supermarkets carry this product Karl in the UK the last bottle I bought was labelled as Klear.

Lets see if i have this straight. After cleaning (washing) I can assemble it and paint it. Does this include rust? Then apply future and decals. On top of the future i now add washes and any other highlight i wish to do. And finally a dull coat. Or do i put the rust, dust, mud,etc. on the DULL coat?

Thanks again for the help.

Bob I wash the model before I even start on it and then when it is dry I assemble the model. Before applying paint I wash the assembled model in order to remove the oils deposited on it by my skin. Then I apply an undercoat to help the paint adhere to the model (this step is more important on some model brands than others) and then apply my chosen camouflage colours and detail paint the model (this would include giving exhausts a rust coloured paint finish. Then I apply 1 or 2 cotes of future and apply the decals to the model which is followed by another cote of future to seal everything. Then I apply any washes I wish to use before sealing with a dull cote I now apply any pigments I wish to use which would include adding rust pigments to the exhausts (German WW2 mostly), for this I use white spirit as a carrier/adhesive. And that is job finished.