I have used different products also, but I have to agree with a couple others on here that the Envirotex is the easiest and has given me the best results. I then use the Woodland Scenics Water Effects to add waves and ripples in streams and to make waterfalls. Make sure you have the bottom painted to your desired colors and and other effects such as rocks, reeds, dead trees and any other items in place and dried and it will look like real water when your done. Also allways use your colors to make your depth as you dont want to go much deeper than 1/8 of an inch to keep the cost down and not use so much product. Keep this in mind when doing rocks and other items so they are sized right so that they are either under water or out depending on the look you are after.
Dugan
Min-Wax polyurethane coatings also work.
My personal favorite is gloss medium, and gloss gel for effects like waterfalls and rapids.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Mr. B
Not sure if your aware of it or not but you can sign up for AC Moore coupons online via email. They send em out to you a few days ahead of the flier and you just click on the coupon link and print em out. One of the ladies who works there put me wise to that if you see something you like or want to buy more then one of print out several coupons and hit different stores. Plus the other good thing is that both Micheal's & AC Moore honor each others coupons
I like Envirotex Lite, too. It is great for modeling still water, like this pond:
I buy mine at A.C. Moore or Michaels, the craft stores. Go to www.acmoore.com. Look for the coupon. It may be under "store locator." Pretty much every week, there is a coupon for 40 or 50% off one item. Since the quart-sized package of Envirotex Lite is about $35, that's a big savings. That package, by the way, will do a lot of water. The stores take each others' coupons, by the way, so if Michaels is more convenient, you can use the A.C. Moore coupon there. When you go, don't just buy the Envirotex and leave. Take some time to walk the aisles. They have lots of stuff that's applicable to modeling. I've even bought Woodland Scenics trees there. With the coupon, they're reasonable.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I use strictly Envirotex Lite, it's orderless when you mix the two parts together very very important when your working in doors it's very cost effective in my o/p and the end result is very very good. You can buy smaller sizes of it in craft stores like AC Moore or Micheal's crafts.I have use magic water and some of the other products in the past but i prefer Envirotex over all of them.
In addition to what Crandell mentioned above, you could use water products by Woodland Scenics (which should be available at your local Hobby Lobby) http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/785-1211 or Faller (which you'd have to order online) http://www.eurorailhobbies.com/erh_detail.asp?erh_find=water&mn=8&stock=F-171661
Both of these products work well. I used the Woodland Scenics water in a diorama and it's held up well. Just remember, whatever you do and whatever you use, make sure all of the scenery work is completed around the area where you are going to pour the water. If you apply scenic glue after the water is in place, the white fluid will creep underneath the water and ruin your lake or stream. Can you tell I learnt this the hard way?
Some have used clear urethane, some clear silicon sealant, some use the less costly Mod Podge or other brand of clear gloss medium. Wal Mart carries Mod Podge. Do not use the matte medium...you want the gloss medium.
In my case, I used a finish quality two part epoxy that I got in the local hardware store paints section. As a top surface that is rippled (stippled actually), I painted on a thin layer of gel gloss medium and then stippled it by patting it with the side of the applicator foam brush.
Two things to keep in mind: the bottom and sides should be thoroughly sealed to prevent drips (believe me, it'll happen), and also painted a bit for the sake of an appearance of natural depth, and the second is that some mediums can be tinted and even made slightly opaque to give a natural turbid look.
-Crandell
Thanks. I should be able to incorperate it money wise over time. Its still early on. If i cant, what other product could I use. Thanks.
love any kind of train
Magic water is an upscale (and high quality) brand of water product. If it fits your budget, I would definately recommend using it because it delivers high quality results. I know that the last two issues of Model Railroader featured a canyon/river scene that was made using magic water. You might want to take a look at those articles. Whatever you choose to use, your layout is that much better already because it includes water. I'm still looking for ways to incorporate a creek and waterfall into mine
Magic Water is well known on here. I haven't used it, but there's plenty of folks who have, with great results.
Mike
Modelling the UK in 00, and New England - MEC, B&M, D&H and Guilford - in H0
Hi everyone. I am planning to ad various water features into a layout. I am in the process now of laying it out. I was going to add ponds, small lakes, streams, etc into it. Has anyone used or heard of a product called MAGIC WATER. I saw it on a website. and was curious about it. Does anyone have another way of produce realistic water. Thanks