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Epoxy Stream Outdoors

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  • Member since
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  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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Posted by cacole on Monday, May 10, 2010 8:00 PM

My experience with a polyurethane lake on an HO scale module was that it melted in the Arizona sun when placed outdoors.

 

  • Member since
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  • From: North Coastal San Diego
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Posted by Greg Elmassian on Monday, May 10, 2010 11:09 AM

I'm thinking the only clear stuff might be either a urethane or other clear product used on boats, that are always in the sun. You might be able to build up layers and get a wet look.

I think it's going to be a tough one based on cost.

Regards, Greg

Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.

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  • Member since
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  • From: Taos, NM
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Posted by covers on Monday, May 10, 2010 10:52 AM

Thanks all! I had not considered UV problems and where I live in New Mexico, it IS always a problem.

 

 

Richard Frajola www.rfrajola.com
  • Member since
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  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
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Posted by ttrigg on Sunday, May 9, 2010 9:32 PM

Greg Elmassian
You might want to check the epoxy for UV resistance. Most are not in my understanding. It's hard to make any clear material UV resistant. Regards, Greg

Right you are!  Most are NOT UV resistant.  There is ONE that is UV resistant, it has one major drawback.  COST.  $10 per three cubic inch finished project!

Tom Trigg

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  • From: North Coastal San Diego
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Posted by Greg Elmassian on Sunday, May 9, 2010 8:56 PM

You might want to check the epoxy for UV resistance. Most are not in my understanding.

It's hard to make any clear material UV resistant.

 

Regards, Greg

 

Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.

 Click here for Greg's web site

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Taos, NM
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Posted by covers on Sunday, May 9, 2010 5:49 PM

Thank you. I had very good luck with an HO stream in epoxy. Careful painting of the base before application made 1/8" of epoxy look like deep water. Containment of the epoxy and a base for it would be problematic outdoors for sure.

I will probably go with another real water feature instead - investingating alternatives before the dive.

Richard Frajola www.rfrajola.com
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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Posted by cacole on Sunday, May 9, 2010 5:02 PM

My thought is that it could possibly take hundreds of dollars worth of epoxy to build up an area of that size to look like it has depth -- not to mention that if you try to pour it on in layers of more than about 1/8 inch at a time it will shrivel and maybe even crack as it sets.  Any areas that are not absolutely watertight it will soak iinto the ground and disappear, leaving a hole in your water.

I've tried it on an indoor HO scale layout, and those were the results using several different products.

 

 

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Taos, NM
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Posted by covers on Sunday, May 9, 2010 10:03 AM

Using epoxy to represent water. Thank you.

Richard Frajola www.rfrajola.com
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Sunday, May 9, 2010 9:57 AM

What do you mean -- are you asking about coating the base of the water course with epoxy to prevent water loss, algae growth, etc., or using epoxy to represent the water? 

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Taos, NM
  • 12 posts
Epoxy Stream Outdoors
Posted by covers on Sunday, May 9, 2010 9:15 AM

I am contemplating trying two-part epoxy coating for an outdoor watercourse (about 10 feet). Has anybody tried this?

I have one real water feature but don't wish the added maintenence of another.

 

 

Richard Frajola www.rfrajola.com

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