Hi,
Did you attempt to restore your lichen? If so, how did it turn out?
I tried this about 10 years ago (using glycerin) and did some Rit dye soaking on it as well to restore some color. If I got minimum wage for all the time I spent on it - not to mention the cost of the dye/glycerine - I could have bought a good quantity of Woodlands Scenic foams.
Some of said lichen is still on my layout today, but compared to the newer scenic materials, it looks pretty lame. But hey, I'm not knocking it, cause it served us well for many, many years.
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
nbrodar wrote: From: How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery, by Dave Frary...1:1 mix of glycerine and 70% isopropyl alcohol, plus some craft paint for color. Place solution in spray bottle and spray on lichen. Check back in 24 hours to see if another application is needed. Be aware, the large amount of glycerine required can be rather expensive.In the latest edition of the book, Dave recommends replacing the lichen with poly fiber trees.Nick
From: How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery, by Dave Frary...
1:1 mix of glycerine and 70% isopropyl alcohol, plus some craft paint for color. Place solution in spray bottle and spray on lichen. Check back in 24 hours to see if another application is needed. Be aware, the large amount of glycerine required can be rather expensive.
In the latest edition of the book, Dave recommends replacing the lichen with poly fiber trees.
Nick
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
loathar wrote:Printer and larak-Where are you guys finding this "free range" lichen? I've got lots of woods around me, but I don't know if it grows in Tn. What should I look for?
Hi Lothar.
I am in upstate NY. The lichen grows in old millstone quarries with thin soil and lots of hard quartz bearing rock. If you have areas like that look on the edges of outcroppings.
Bob,
I bought my last four gallons online at "thechemistrystore.com" in January 2006. It looks like the prices have gone up significantly. Chemical/Lab supply stores are the place to search though. Sorry about the out of date pricing.
Karl
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
To larak:
What is your source of industrial grade glycerin at $12.00 per gallon? One source I know of http://www.chemistrystore.com/glycerin.htm charges $19.75 per gallon plus shipping for Vegetable Glycerin or $94.50 for a 5 gallon pail.
Bob
We've used industrial glycerin ($12 per gallon) mixed 50/50 with warm water. A gallon goes a long way.
We soaked the old brittle lichen for a week. Came out like new. Then tried with lichen we harvested ourselves. This also worked very well. I don't know how long it will stay supple but theory says many years.
I use it for filler trees by dying it dark green, planting densely on short copper wires (got lots of that around the shop) misting with dilute matt medium and then sprinkling on ground foam. The front row gets super trees, dead branches bushes etc.
Good luck,
Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/
I had someone that does taxidermy tell me he used glycern on lichen for his displays. Same problem though. I don't know what solution.
I believe you can soak it in glycerin. I'm not sure of the exact process though. I would try using the search fuction if nobody replies. Good luck.
edit: sorry, I didn't see any responses when I decided to reply.
Does anyone have a methodology for restoring lichen to its normal, pliant self??? I have some that needs some method of salvaging for use. It's about fifty years old and drier than all getout!!! The budget won't tolerate any expenditure and I'd like to put something down to pretty things up a bit. Thanks for your help.......
1stu11