I've heard of people using dilluted matte medium to "glue" down their ground foam and scenic elements. I was wondering if there was a matte medium to water dillution rate. i.e. two cups to four cups, or whatever it is.
I was also wondering if this is a good way to go or to use the woodland scenics glue.
I should mention I have to order all of my modeling supplies. The nearest hobby shop is almost three hours away, the nearest Wal Mart is ten minutes.
Thanks
I get a matte medium called Mod Podge from Wal Mart. It's in the craft section. (they have matte AND gloss, make sure you get the matte) I mix 30%-40% Mod Podge, 40%-50% water and about 10% rubbing alcohol.
Once thinned, I use it in a spray bottle or squeeze bottle just like the WS stuff.
Not wanting to deter you from your interest in matte medium, but have you considered a cheap acrylic latex caulk? You need very little, spread thinly in a few squiggly lines between the two layers. Initial outlay is literally pennies, and you can cap the delivery tube to use the rest as you need to over months. This product has a great currency among many of us in the hobby.
It doesn't run. I think diluted matte medium, unless it is on a perfectly planar and level surface is going to pool or run, probably both. Pooled liquids take longer to dry between impermeable layers, of which the foam is a type, and that also means the adhesion won't be homogenous throughout the general surface area.
Just a thought.
Latex caulk wouldn't work for my methods, since the matte medium is put on TOP of the foam, not under it.
I paint and area with latex paint, then sprinkle ground foam into the wet latex. any objectional excess is vacuumed away (put a sock in the end of the vacuum tube to catch the foam and then recycle it.) When the paint is dry sprinke some additional foam on top (usually coarser pieces) and then spray the area with wet water (water with dish detergent in it). When the foam is wet i dribble on diluted white glue or matte medium thinned 50% with wet water. I let that dry, add any additional foam (building layers depending on color and texture desired), wet it again and apply another coat of glue/medium. Sometimes I will even add a 3rd layer of glue/medium if anything is loose. I have applied scenery to modules and transported them in the back of a pick up truck (uncovered) at 75 mph down the interstate without material blowing off.
I have used latex caulk for tracklaying and glueing foam layers and it works well.
Dave H.
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jeffrey-wimberly wrote: I buywhite glue by the gallon and end up paying less than would for a bunch of small bottles of it.
ndbprr wrote:I am pretty sure I got mine at Home Depot. The only other place it could have been would be Menards here in the midwest.
Thanks I have not check there yet. You would not think getting a gallon of Elmers school glue (white glue) would be so difficult.
Gryphon wrote: jeffrey-wimberly wrote: I buywhite glue by the gallon and end up paying less than would for a bunch of small bottles of it. You know I have been to Joann's, Target and acouple of other places no one I can thing of has gallon bottles of it. Suggestions of other chain stores to check?
Gandy Dancer is correct. Elmers does not dry pefectly clear, but somewhat cloudy, the cheaper glues will be worse, and it also dries brittle. Matte medium won't, but is more expensive. Here's a alternative - use flat acrylic deep base tint from the paint area at the local hardware store. Ask if they have dried sample of it. It dries perfectly clear, and is not brittle. It is the same stuff as matte medium. Mix it the same way - water and isopropyl. A few bucks for a quart. I've used it for a few years and never had a problem.
jktrains
Gandy Dancer wrote:There is a huge difference between white glue (like Elmer's) and matte medium. White glue will eventually turn cloudy (sometimes even yellow) and brittle. Matte medium won't.
I agree big time. Plus Elmers is slightly glossy compared to matte medium. I tried white glue on ballast once and left my ties shiny.
I too use mostly matte medium for groundcover, ballast, etc.
My mixture ratio is 1 part MM to 4 parts water with an ounce or two of 70% isopropyl per quart. It sprays easily, penetrates well, holds well, doesn't yellow and remains just a bit flexible.
I get it when it's on sale from dickblick.com or other web soruces. You should let it sit for two days and decant it before mixing. That will remove any powder filler that may be mixed in. Good stuff!
Karl
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Matte Medium is the preferred method for holding down grass etc. because as noted it stays "rubbery" and doesn't get hard the way white glue does. Matte and Gloss Medium are used by artists to cover a completed painting and seal it in, any arts / crafts store should have it.
BTW Gloss Medium is great for doing water, or perking up existing model water that's gotten a little stale looking. You can put small ripples and waves in it using a fan brush. However, you have to use it full strength - if you put water in it to make it runnier, it loses it's shine.