Staining Rock Castings

[Anonymous]

I have been working on staining a rock wall with Woodland Scenics earth stains. I pretty much have the desired effect except for the final wash in black to highlight cracks, etc. (this is my first try at this method) The scenery manual suggests I spray the scenery with "Scenery Cement prior to the final black wash. The LHS does not have any of this and it will take 7 to 10 days to order it in. My question is: What could I use for a substitute? I am long on excitement and short on patience! Any advise would be really appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Testor's Dull Coat will work.

[dehusman]

I paint my rocks with latex paint before staining them. I use cheap white paint tinted with hobby/craft paints (in those little plastic squeeze bottles) and then stain them with washes of those hobby paints. They wash and thin with water and you can get them for 50-75 cents a bottle on sales.

Dave H.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Different types of plaster absorb stains at different rates. I'm guessing that they want you to seal the "rock", so that it doesn't get too dark from the wash. I've always just used a very dilute mixture for the final wash, almost no pigment. If it doesn't get dark enough the first time you can do it again. It might even give you a less uniform, more realistic look. Try a small sample of whatever you decide to see if you like the results.

[der5997]

Try a small sample....When you do the castings (next time [:I]) the inevitable bit of plaster mix that's too much for the last casting can go into any spare mould, and yield such sample pieces.

I've had good results not painting the casting before staing, but just going with washes of India Ink right on the white plaster. It depends on the type of rock you're after. Wouldn't do for red rock, but is not bad for any of the whitei***o dark greys. Trial and error for intensity. What I like about this approach is that none of the detail gets covered by an accidental "too much" of a paint wash application.