Walther Realistic water, safe on foam insulation board?

[Noah Hofrichter]

I'm starting a diorama soon, as a practice for several scenery methods, and one of them will be carving out a crick out of the 2x4 foam insulation board base, and I was planning to use Woodland Scenics realistic water for the water. So Is this particular product safe for foam?

Thanks,
Noah

[tstage]

Noah,

As far as I know it should be. I believe it's one of those "environmentally safe" products - i.e. it shouldn't contain any solvents. My suggestion is to e-mail Woodland Products and ask them directly.

Tom

[Noah Hofrichter]

Thanks Tom, I'll have to try that.

Noah

[eng22]

How about putting some on a small piece of scrap foam and see what happens.

[DonaldAgne]

Noah, the Realistic Water is safe on foam. I used that and WS Water Effects on my layout with no problems. But beware the WS pellets that you have to melt and then pour into your river or lake! That stuff will melt through your foam in a heartbeat. I know from experience, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by eng22

How about putting some on a small piece of scrap foam and see what happens.

Good advice. I had read a similar thread about using Envirotex with foam, either here or on another forum. The mixed responses were like the following:

I used it and it was fine.
I used it and it dissolved the foam.
I never used it but I think it's ok.
I never used it but it probably won't work

It's unlikely you'll be using the material directly on the foam, unless perhaps blue foam gives the exact tint that you want. I suggest you try coating your foam with whatever paint and coloring you will be using "under water". It may be enough to seal the foam from even solvent-based material.

Wayne

[Anonymous]

NO, it is NOT safe on foam unless you use plaster or some other medium first. Never pour it onto foam as is. The foam will absorb it and swell up. It will also take you alot for a creek or pond doing it this way unless you use a base. Other than that its a fine product that have used and will use again.

[Anonymous]

"As far as I know it should be. "
"the Realistic Water is safe on foam."
"NO, it is NOT safe on foam "

See? [:D]

Eng22 gave you the best advice. "How about putting some on a small piece of scrap foam and see what happens."

Wayne

[Noah Hofrichter]

Well, do the contridictions, I belive I'll try testing it first. That's one fo the things I wasnt to learn by this diorama anyway. Mybe they type of foam matters? i.e. Blue vs. Pink insulation board?

Noah

[rrinker]

The blue and pink are basically the same thing, made by two different companies. Dow (blue) and Owens-Corning (pink - thus the Pink Panther commercials). What IS different is the white EXPANDED stuff.,like used for packing. It's great for bluing together to form a support for putting something over it, like plaster cloth, to make hilsl and so forth, but various substances will attach it vigorously. For example, a long time ago I had a large piece of packing foam, and dropped just a tiny bit of model glue (the old stuff in tubes, the kind the left strings) on it, and it just MELTED right through. Probably gave off some noxious fumes, too, but the effect was neat. Think the Wicked Witch in Wizard of Oz.
Best bet ALWAYS is to test on scrap pieces of anything if you are unsure. And do it the exact same way on the test piece and then when you do the real thing. For example, painting the surface may seal it enough to prevent damage until the water material dries - but if you neglect that step on the layout, or don't paint the entire water area, it might eat through.

--Randy

[eng22]

Hey Noah, what have you learned?

[n2mopac]

Noah: I used it on foam with only acrylic paint protecting it and had no problem. I tested it directly on the foam first and there was no interaction. The only caution I have in using it on foam is POUR IT THIN! With foam underneath when the top of the stuff dries air cannot penetrate from either side so it take forever to set up. I would pour in no more than about 1/16" thicknesses over foam and do multiple pours to get your thickness. This works really well and you cannot tell that you did multiple pours, especially if you use water effects on the surface.

Ron

[tstage]

Lots of opinions and speculations. Testing is always a tried-and-true method and a good idea. But to save Noah from forking out $15 for a bottle of "look-a-like water" to find out that it doesn't work, why not contact Woodland Scenics and pose the question to them? For only the cost of an e-mail stamp they can at least clear up the issue and tell us once and for all whether it's safe on foam and which kind.

Tom


UPDATE:
I took the liberty and the initiative to contact Woodland Scenics myself (via e-mail) and posed the question to them. I'll let you all know what I find out as soon as I hear back from them.

[tstage]

Okay, guys. Here it is from the horse’s mouth. I’ve include my inquiries so you know exactly what I asked them:

To Whom it may Concern

I was wondering if you could clear up an issue for me. We were discussing your Realistic Water product on one of the Tains.com forums and wanted to know if it was safe on foam - e.g. extruded foam insulation? Is there any surface preparation needed prior to applying the Realistic water? Is there a surface or material that your product is NOT recommended for? I thank you for your response and I look forward to hearing from you on the matter.

Most sincerely,

Tom Stage


Well, it will not attack the foam if that is what you mean as it is water based. But it will leak down into even the smallest hole, as it is very liquid. I would assume you would want to paint the area to look like water first anyway. So the only thing you really have to be concerned about is that there is no place for it to go once you pour it on or you will have a puddle somewhere below the surface you poured it on.

We do not suggest you set plastic models on it and ever expect to be able to remove them, as they tend to sink into the surface. It does not dry hard and is self healing, so it gives over time when something is set on it.

Ruean Holt
Sales / Customer Service


Ruean,

If I understand you correctly, you are saying that ANY foam is safe with 'Realistic Water' and that the real concern is since the foam is porous, the "water" will leak through any tiny holes unless the foam is sealed with a latex paint first. Yes?

Tom


We use flex paste or plaster cloth, but as long as the paint is dry there is not a problem with using it over latex paint.

Ruean Holt
Sales / Customer Service


Since the 'water' doesn't react to the foam, the issue is to make sure that the 'water' is contained before it cures completely. Noah, I hope this is what you were wanting to know. Let us know how your diorama comes out. [:)]

Tom

[Noah Hofrichter]

Tom, Thanks, that is what I wanted to know. I'll be sure to let you know how I like it in a few months when I get around to the diorama.

Noah