Modeling Water

[Anonymous]

I was told this might be the place to ask this question. I am planning on building a diorama for a seaplane I am building. The base will be approx. 12" x 16" and it needs to be about 1/2 inch deep. What recommendations does anyone have to complete this. I've been told that Acrylic Water would work and I've also heard of "Realistic Water" from Woodland Scenics but I don't know if that would be suitable for a project this large. I've also been told of some other products but many of them need to be heated and I am sure this would melt the plastic of my model. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Well I have experience the use of Realistic water and The plastic pellets you heat up and pour on. In my opinion The realistic water is quite bette but for 1/2 inch deep it may take a few bottle which are actually very expensive. In fact I just saw them at the train show for $15 a bottle!! Wow. I do not remember paying that much about a year ago. I would like to reccommend the realistic water but the acrlic water I have not used and do not know the cost. I am going to go to Home Depot and see the other things that may be used to do water for future water plans.

[Anonymous]

There are probably just about as many water modelling techniques as there are modellers.

I've used the two Woodland Scenics products, and acrylic gloss varnish floated on in thin layers; I've also seen others use gloss paint, artist gloss medium (stippled when nearly dry for a rougher sea texture), drywall filler painted and treated with gloss paint for a rough sea ... I've even seen real water used!

The Woodland Sceneics Realistic Water is probably the best all round product I've seen, some of the other methods only look good when photographed. The Rensselaer Model Railroad Society website has some good ideas but I think they are in the members only area from memory: http://railroad.union.rpi.edu/index.asp

[retsignalmtr]

realistic water looks nice and is easy to use but it shrinks up quite a bit. i followed the instructions to pour 1/8" at a timeand let it cure before adding another layer. i wanted to end up with a 1/4" depth but each layer shrunk down at least 50% from the poured depth so now i still have to pour two more layers. it is $15 per.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips from everyone who replied. Everyone keeps recommending the Realistic Water. I know the costs, I've found it for $11 per bottle on line. It will be expensive but it is for a project I am giving my grandfather so it's worth it.