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Making Water

I'm going to mirror Dave's discussion here as it is a good question. There are many ways to do it and there has been a lot printed on it too. I do suggest a little research and experimentation on your part to see with which method you are most comfortable. I have done it three ways. 1: Paint the plywood base with acrylic paints to look like water, dark blue to black in the middle and lighter as you approach the banks which are then painted earth tones. "Plant" (glue) rocks, old tires, stumps, WS reeds and grass and whatever you feel you want in the water. Then use Envirotex Lite resin to cover it all. Pour it in per the instructions. You can make rough water by brushing the surface before it sets to pick up little wave crests. Plant your boats before it sets too. This is a simplification of my preferred method. 2: Do everything above, but use the WS Realistic Water instead. The old WS water pellets that you melted in a tin can were very yellow when set. I'm glad they came up with the new formula. The WS Water Effects are great for falls and rapids and other places where the surface is not level. 3: Use a fluorescent light ceiling fixture acrylic diffuser, paint it blue, and call it a lake. You can't see through it, but it is good for distant background use. You can plant weeds and rocks on top. 4: A bonus method. I have not done this but have seen water made by just using acrylic paints built up over the background. Start with colors and finish up with clear sealer to give the surface a wet look. It will be interesting to see what shows up in the other group. My best advice as always is to read, experiment and do what you are comfortable with. Anybody else have more water ideas? Fearless Leader
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Making Water

CodFadda And probably a few other places too! B-) Punk
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Making Water

I guess if I'm going to have a sawmill (with a water wheel)(See my album.) I'm going to need a stream.....OH BOTHER! Another dither to work out! :| Marc
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Making Water

Just to update this topic. If you use the WS new pourable water; be sure to give it lots of time to cure. If your layout is in a cold area like my basement, it will take double the time to set. I think that humidity and temperature are important in the curing of this material. Warm, dry is my guess for the optimum conditions. Also, it is fairly clear with just a slight bluish tint. If you want a different color, tint it or paint your lake bed darker to begin with. I tried a test pour in a plastic cup and it seems to be liquid silicone that cures at room temperature. I just peeled it out if the cup when it was dry and it has a very rubbery feel, not surprisingly like silicone. Hmmmm. Do you suppose it is silicone? What will they think of next. ;) B-)
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Making Water

"Do you suppose it is silicone? What will they think of next." Easy, putting it in baggies and convincing all the women they need them stuffed in their chest.......... Mr. Breeze ]:)
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Making Water

Marc, Go back to your Christmas layout and quit causing trouble. Why would any sensible woman ...... I think I just answered my own question. ]:) B-)
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Making Water

Water g-pa1 (82 ) 08/11/05 06:47 AM On the new addition my son is trying to model a lake with a beach. I am trying to find a z scale snowmobile or car or even boat to place on the bottom of the 'water'. Does anyone know where I might be able to find one? Also I've been experimenting with a product called Modge Podge. I've done several tests with it compared to envirotex lite but I have not used realistic water. Has anyone used modge podge and how does it compare to realistic water. This lake is pretty big and he has a stream leading to the lake. Gene I moved your question over to this previous discussion Gene. There is a lot of info here if you read from the beginning. Also, check out the ebay auctions in Z scale and you will find several auctions if you type in the search word "cars". I checked out Walthers for you and there are no snow mobiles. As for the Modge Podge, I have heard it is used to make molds. I do not know if it dries clear which you need for water. Experiment and let us know. My best suggestion would be the new WS Realistic Water which will cover quite a large area easily. One more suggestion. As you see there is info out here in the group that we sometimes repeat. I knew there was a "water" discussion so I "searched" for it. Try it sometime. If you don't find a satisfactory answer, by all means ask again. I just try to make my life easier by using the tools provided. Now I'm going to delete your new topic to avoid the duplication. B-)
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Making Water

This sure dates me. On my old layout I used to use mirrors for water. It did the job but again I was not going out to make it look like real water. Just making little ponds. Chuck 🙂
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Making Water

Chuck, I used a small mirror to great effect on my little, temporary Christmas layout! Marc
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