Assuming that I want to start collecting twigs for my annual winter layout, is there something I can spray these with so they don't rot, preferably something flat and not glossy?
Water, aqueous solutions of any kind, and other fluids should only ever have an ephemeral presence on your layout. IOW, water, glue, wetting anything, is meant as a temporary measure. So, rot should never...EVER...be a problem on your layout. Gather roots of some plants, hang them to dry in a basement using clothes pins, and then use them as you wish. If you want to stiffen them to make them more durable, dip them in Mod Podge or some other matte medium and let them dry the same way, with clothes pins.
Don't worry about rot unless you're going to run a small pump and real water on your layout. If you do, expect a LOT OF blowback from those of us who know better.
Rest easy, friend.
Rot is not a problem. I have been making trees for my layout from twigs gathered in the woods for years. I do summer trees in leaf, so I spray the twigs with gray and brown paint and then with hair spray and roll the sticky twigs in dyed sawdust to give them leaves. They last well, I have some going on 8 years old and they look good.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Shock ControlAssuming that I want to start collecting twigs for my annual winter layout, is there something I can spray these with so they don't rot, preferably something flat and not glossy?
Sounds to me as if your layout scenery is following the actual changing of the seasons which occurs every year. I've seen various layouts representing, individually, all of the seasons, but never one layout that represents them all, in sync with nature.This sounds very ambitious, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one looking forward to photos, not only of the process to create each season, but also the changing scenes throughout the year.I haven't even come close to finishing my early summer scenes, and wasn't planning to change them as the year progesses.
Wayne
I've never tried what you want to do, but automotive shops sell rubber in a can, basically. Teenagers spray the stuff on their "tuner" cars, usually black, and it can be pealed off later and the design changed up. They make a clear coat to give some shine to the finish. Rustoleum.
It would be like covering the twigs with a clear rubber. Seems like it would preserve them, and not destroy the color. Then you could maybe dullcoat over that.
- Douglas
I've used thin twigs and branches for trees. I never treated them with anything, just a bit of acrylic paint to get a better bark- like color.
I found the branches tended to dry out and become brittle. I'd use something like Modge Lodge next time.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
doctorwayneSounds to me as if your layout scenery is following the actual changing of the seasons which occurs every year. I've seen various layouts representing, individually, all of the seasons, but never one layout that represents them all, in sync with nature.
I unfortunately have not had a permanent layout for some time. I have been focused more on collecting certain items, and also doing an elaborate winter layout around the tree every holiday season. I always try to find ways to improve it. I can do only so much, though, as it is taken down and reconstructed every year.
I am in the process of planning a small 4' x 6' HO layout that I would like to be able to lower from the ceiling in one room. I will post on that topic separately.
Thanks all for the replies!