EnviroTex Lite-for lakes, ponds, ice, etc.

[AlanRail]

I like the no-squirrel brain aspect.

I use MOD PODGE over aluminim foil for the refelctive qaulity, buy I'll try this stuff

Alan

[fjerome]

jim is right. hardly any odor.

[Jim Duda]

That's a surprising bonus - you won't be able to notice any! I think you can detect a faint odor if you put your nose in the mixing jar, but my wife (who can detect fiberglass resin, gasoline, etc. from a block away) didn't make one comment - and my table is in the dining room. I mixed mine in a glass quart canning jar because I wanted to monitor the tint and needed to see the true color of it.

Now is a good time to get some because most of the Craft Stores are offering up to 50% off in their newspaper ads. If unsure, buy the smallest amount you can, mix it, and put it in a disposable container to get familiar with it.

[AlanRail]

what is the odor like with this stuff; how WELL do you need to ventilate the room?

Alan

[fjerome]

BIG tip, if doing large amounts, stir for at least 15 min. i was doing a half gallon and stirred for 10 min according to directions on bottle. it never cured. guy at scenic express said to stir thoroughly for 15 min. i did 20 for the second layer and it came out fine. this amount of stirring increases the bubble factor, however.

[Jim Duda]

Available at Crafts stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.) Mix two equal parts (similar to epoxy), stir for 2 minutes or so, then pour into your area. As it comes, it will cure to a CRYSTAL CLEAR, ROCK HARD finish. It says to do successive pours of 1/8 inch if you want a deeper surface, but I've done 1/4 inch without any problems.

Cure time varies on ambient temp - I've found at 70 degrees it takes up to 6 hours, though...you will notice some very small bubbles will float up to the surface after several minutes - don't panic, just exhale over the surface and they magically disappear - pretty neat! If you can't get close enough, instructions advise using a propane torch, fanned across the surface - haven't tried that since my table is so small I can easily blow over any part of it.

If you want ripples or waves on your surface, simply wait to JUST BEFORE it hardens and drag a fork, small dowel, or whatever you want through it. If you do this too soon, it will flow back to a mirror smooth finish. Since your conditions will vary, you'll just have to experiment.

But for glass smooth water OR ICE, just pour, remove the bubbles as mentioned above and wait. And if you mess up, just re-pour on top of your surface and try again. TIP: You might not want to completely fill your cavity or area in case a re-pour is necessary. MAKE SURE YOUR AREA IS LEVEL AND IS SEALED TO PREVENT "LEAKAGE".

There are other materials out there to simulate water/ice, but I know this one works.