I'm using Realistric Water for the first time for a narrow creek bed and it's leaking thru the plaster cloth. My question is whether this initial application will self seal after it cures so that subsequent layer won't leak thru?
TIA
Bummer Plaster cloth is sort of a loose weave, were there visible holes in it before you poured?
My experience is with hydorcal and cheap paper towels and there is no leak thru hydorcal. When you orthopod applies a cast to you you broken arm, the last thing he does is wet his gloves and smooths it out, which fills in the gap in the weave.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
davefrMy question is whether this initial application will self seal after it cures so that subsequent layer won't leak thru?
Most likely not. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
If it were mine, I would remove the water feature and rebuild it from scratch. I usually use joint compound for my water feature beds.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I can tell you from hard experience that it will drip thru and make a mess on your floor. Best bet is make sure that it is sealed, and plaster cloth alone will not do the trick.
Mike
I have used Realistic Water quite a few times in the past. I never had a leak, but Woodland Scenics recommends pouring it in layers, a little at a time and let let it cure before pouring each subsequent layer.
On that basis, I think that there is a good chance that it won't leak if the area is covered from the first pour. Give it a try. Can you keep the second pour within the margins of the first pour?
Rich
Alton Junction
If you like what you have created, and it's beginning to look realistic with the water, but you might still have a small leak, why not try the suggestion of putting small quantities of water at the periphery and at the lowest apparent points. If you get drips, get below and note from where they appear to come, and seal the area above it with a dab of PARR Bond, more plaster, white glue, bathroom caulking....whatever is handy that will do the job...AFTER it cures.
I have used a product similar to Realistc Water, and the instructions suggest if there may be small holes in the base to paint a thin layer with a paintbrush and let it set up before making a big pour.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Is there anything under the layout to prevent it from getting on the floor/carpet?
I always read to put some plaster first down before adding ANY water material. Sorry to write that your experience reinforced why I listened to that advice.
^^Thanks for the responses. It turns out Realsitic Water is an effective sealant for itself after the first coat cures. IMHO plaster cloth alone is not an effective sealant despite what Woodland says. (I had two layers down). This stuff will seep thru the tiniest perforation and it cures so sloooowly that it has lots of time to leak thru the base. In the future I'd use a base sealant like Shellac, 5 minute Epoxy or something 100% impermeable.
davefr ^^Thanks for the responses. It turns out Realsitic Water is an effective sealant for itself after the first coat cures. IMHO plaster cloth alone is not an effective sealant despite what Woodland says. (I had two layers down). This stuff will seep thru the tiniest perforation and it cures so sloooowly that it has lots of time to leak thru the base. In the future I'd use a base sealant like Shellac, 5 minute Epoxy or something 100% impermeable.