A couple of times I've read that it's best to wait til the last thing do pour your water, i.e. river, stream, lakes etc. Why would this be, assuming that's correct. And if it's not I'd like to hear about that too.
Jarrell
Because, it's incredibly easy to mess up the water's high gloss surface after you pour it. Especially, if you use WS Realistic Water, as it never sets hard. Any scratches and spills on the surface tend to stand out like a blinking red light.
I like to pour the water, after all the rock casting, ground foam and ballasting work is done, and before I install any trees.
Nick
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
Scour and shape the terrain in the general area of the waterway, add rocks/boulders, clean up residue, paint what needs it, pour ground foam, vacuum up spillage in the waterway, paint the waterway, add sunken logs and immersed creekbed rocks, paint the tops of the immersed stuff with a light wash to simulate settled biological material, and when that is all done, cleaned, dry, then you can add your water. You don't want any other activity afterwards, except for details, trees, tufts of grass, etc.
JaRRell, I have had very good results with a two part epoxy. Your local builder store/hardware folks should have a kit for do-it-yourselfers who want to put a nice glossy finish on a homemade wooden item, and for other hobbies. That is what you want, a kit with resin in one bottle and hardener in the other. You will have to measure them both very carefully, combine them in a wide disposable container (clean soft margarine container), and then spend three minutes stirring, pour into a second container, and stir for another two full minutes.
Don't sweat the air bubbles...you'll get 'em no matter how careful you are. They can be hair-dryered out within 15 minutes after the pour. Don't blast the surface from close up, and sweep the hairdryer quickly at a shallow angle. In fact, my product manufacturer said you can blow on it with your mouth...they were right. I used a straw.
Water and ballast ought to come after terrain paint, unless you're the most careful painter in the history of the hobby, and never suffer mistakes.
Touch up scratches in water with Acrylic Gloss Medium. As thin as it goes on, you have headroom for several years of touchups before you make the water too deep.