What form of model water lasts for years, had a lot of people who tried Mod Podge and others only to have them bubble and or curl up over the years, envirotex works but can crack over time. Any suggestions?
I have used a Swing Paints product available at my local independent hardware supplies store calle Nu-Luster 55. I believe it should not be unlike Envirotex in that it comprises a carefully measured, and then meticulously stirred, mix of a resin and a hardener. IOW, they are both epoxies, and I find it hard to believe that either of them would crack over time. Of course, if they were mixed with other materials to give added effects, that could have an impact on its durability over time. But I used straight Nu-Luster 55 with no dyes or paints, and it dried hard and clear. Not a hint of any crazing or cracking.
I believe strongly that you should have good results with any two-part epoxy you can buy. They aren't the cheapest things on the shelves, those kits, but they do a very nice and enduring job of model water.
I've used the WS Realistic Water on my large lake. It's been in place for seven years and no shrinkage or curling. I have heard that it does attract dust that settles into the mixture after time, but I've had no problem with that, either. But you have to be very careful to pour it in increments of 1/8" depths and let it 'cure' for at least 24 hours (I waited 48 hours) between pours. It's worked very well for me, and my layout is in a largely un-insulated garage.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Large lake, how large and yes maybe the problems are in whats added, but that is why the inquiry to find out what went wrong with what as it seems some people have no problems long term and others are having to rebuild after 3 or less years and we are talking about people in the know.
I haven't done my river scene yet, still working on the scenics on the mountains between. But I did buy the Acrylic Water Kit made by envirotex, I believe, and sold in Walmart. I paid about $6.00 for 8 ounces both parts 4 oz each. The picture they show on the box is a glass flower vase and it's half full of the mix hardened and it's crystal clear. I bought 4 boxes of the stuff. I trust Joe Fugate and his web site and that's one of which he recommends for the pool areas. It dries hard according to the directions and can be poured all at once. I plan on following Joe's directions, cause I only want to do it once. I really don't know of anyone more trusting than him when it come to MRRing.
The water falls and fast water and ripples on the pond I plan on using Liquid Nails clear acrylic sealant. White water also with the liquid nails but with white tile grout mixed to give it color and stability so it holds up! Idea I got from another site!
I started dreaming, planning and building about 4 years ago. Since then, I have watched pretty much every thread about "making water," knowing that one day I would get to that point myself. The Moose Bay area of my layout would be the most scenically demanding, so I saved it until I felt I had really come up to speed on the modelling techniques I would need. First, I built an abandoned mill, my first craftsman kit. Then, I opened up my Bragdon Foam package, and did the rocks and cliffs around the Bay. Finally, I poured the water.
I chose Envirotex, because it seemed to be the one that no one ever had problems with. Since it's a significant effort, and it would be a real pain to have to take it up and do it again, I experimented first with test pourings. I deliberately broke the "pour thin" rule, and saw the ugly, bubbly consequences. Not bad if you want to model a deep hot tub for Barbie-scale, but not appropriate for too many things I'd want to do in HO.
Well, so far, so good. My water has been in place for a couple of months now, and still looks the way it did the day after it set. I mixed varying amounts of acrylic color, ranging from a thin tint of blue to a murky, almost-opaque green. These are still working well. Of course, I've only got a couple of months of history, and you're talking geologic timescales here, but I'm pretty confident that Envirotex has done the job I wanted.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.