I'll throw in my 2 cents. My preferred adhesive is the elmer's, it is the finest clear mist, must shake can well, some spray adhesives spray white quickly is sprayed to thick. And my favorite hairspray is the Rave mega hold, also a fine mist. Different hairsprays spray thicker and gummier then others.
- John
2nd here about using a cheap, unscented can of hair spray as an adhesive. Gluing with something more expensive doesn't see any value. It's not like the stuff will fall of the trees using hair spray! I also used it on my 1st layout and plan on reusing 95% of the trees on the 2nd.
crzinkAbout 8 years ago I used inexpensive (Aqua Net??) hair spray and actual (fine seived) iron rust to weather some ore cars. I lightly sprayed the ore car bodies (less trucks and couplers), then dusted them with the seived rust and let them dry. Too much hair spray will cause the car numbers and other markings to be obscured, so be careful.
Well now that sounds interesting. No problems with your iron rust "dust" causing any shorts?
Mike.
My You Tube
About 8 years ago I used inexpensive (Aqua Net??) hair spray and actual (fine seived) iron rust to weather some ore cars. I lightly sprayed the ore car bodies (less trucks and couplers), then dusted them with the seived rust and let them dry. Too much hair spray will cause the car numbers and other markings to be obscured, so be careful.
The cars were in operations for about 5 years, and only recently brought out after being stored in their individual 'blue box' for the last three. No problems.
gregccan anyone comment on using hairspray to keep foam beads together to be used as filler until some hard shell (plaster of paris, scultamold, paint, ...) covers the surface?
Not sure about that, Greg. I know there is no reaction between the hairspray and the foam board that I use when I make trees. Stuff just builds up. But, I'm using the pink or blue styrofaom, not bead board. You'd have to try it and make sure it doesn't react with the beads, and melt them.
Don’t know about 3m product but I never had much with hair spray so I tried Elmers spray adhesive made a sticky mess.
Joe Staten Island West
When I worked in a architectural model shop back in the 80's we used Aqua-Net hairspray that was unscented. We'd buy these aerosol cans by the dozen. That stuff was pretty good at holding the ground foam onto the trees for the many projects we did. Just use it in a highly ventilated area.
Jeff
Since trees are seldom handled intentionally after "planting", the hairspray stands up very well. My first ones must be around 20 years old, and despite that many Autumns, they still have a good cover of foliage.
I use the unscented Finesse brand in a pump-type sprayer. It's about the cheapest I've found and works very well. A big plus is that there's very little waste, other than overspray when doing very small trees. When the contents drop below the level of the pick-up siphon, I simply dump whatever's left into the next one in use and carry on. The manual pump gives more control than a spray can, too, so less waste again.
These photos date from the first scenery added to the layout...
...and the same general area more recently...
...and some very recent stuff...
I usually do mine in assembly-line fashion. After trimming a natural armature to suit, I add a little well-stretched polyfibre...
....then, working over spread-out newspapers on the layout room floor, spritz-on a generous amount of hairspray, and sprinkle on some ground foam - usually medium coarseness in a darkish colour...
Working over a different spread of newspaper, I repeat the spray-and-sprinkle using a different colour of ground foam, and move on to another spot when changing colours, finishing up with a light dusting of fine ground foam, usually very light green or even yellow. This is a good way to simulate sunshine on the treetops, while the darker colours used earlier add depth. Keeping the work areas separate allows you the recover the stuff which doesn't stick to the trees, and it can be replaced into its original container, ready for the next batch of trees.
Some bushes representing undergrowth...
...to fill-in beneath this bridge...
Wayne
I used cheap hairspray from the "dollar store" for my trees -- worked great and cost 1/3 as much as the 3M spray adhesive. Although I also have and use the 3M adhesive on occasion, I find it too strong for light duty details like trees and you have to be very careful with the overspray which isn't a problem with hairspray.
Hair spray works great for trees but alot a people do not get it wet enough and even more seem to forget to spray after the folage is on to seal the tree. All hairspray is is a type of varnish.
I've personally never had any good results from using hairspray on stuff. We have tried a couple different brands and "holds" with poor effects from all.Like others have said, Super 77 or something similar works 1000 times better and more reliably.
Mike
Greg, use a soda straw to fill the holes with plaster powder, or fine sand. Dribble water (for the plaster) or your ballasting glue solution over the hole and let it soak in. Inside of a couple of days you should have a solid plug there.
gregc can anyone comment on using hairspray to keep foam beads together to be used as filler until some hard shell (plaster of paris, scultamold, paint, ...) covers the surface? i have holes for posts and wires, as well as foam seams i'd like to fill. since small foam beads are very static clingy, something to hold them in place temporarily (hours, days, months, ... ;)would be useful. I have not tryed it as I avoid the bead stuff,but it should work, but so would the white glue mix, or any kind of paint
can anyone comment on using hairspray to keep foam beads together to be used as filler until some hard shell (plaster of paris, scultamold, paint, ...) covers the surface?
i have holes for posts and wires, as well as foam seams i'd like to fill.
since small foam beads are very static clingy, something to hold them in place temporarily (hours, days, months, ... ;)would be useful.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
I use the cheapest ''super hold'' stuff walmart/dollor store has,paying no mind to brand.
I just tore down my layout,after 4,,5 yrs most trees will be reused as is.I have noticed that some of the poly fiber back ground brush, will shed when pulled up.But I also recall making/planting them in haste.
The 3M stuff works very well,but $8 a can. Hair spray a buck or less.
Note; when makeing trees or brush, ware a glove,or your hand will soon become green.
Just go lightly with the 3M, it's great stuff, but can form a visible build-up if used too heavy.
I've also used a generic store brand unscented, "super-hold" hair spray. Lets see, been about 5 years or so, and both sprays holding up well.
I doubt seriously anyone has documented the average length of hair spray adhesive "life" but if you don't want to find out for yourself, invest in a can of 3M Super 77 as recommended by one of our fellow modelers Rob Spangler.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I see many how tos that say use hairspray as an adhiesive. Especially for trees. How long does it really last before the adhiesive dries out And the leaves fall off the tree? Or is that dependent on the hair spray type?
wolfie
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space