Realistic water? magic water? Envirotex?
I have no opinion on what's best
I can only report complete satisfaction with "Magic Water" from Unreal Details, so have never felt the need to experiment with other choices.
Dave Nelson
I've always used Envirotex and I've always been happy with the results. The "water" does not soften over time unlike some other products. It can be tinted with cheap craft store acrylics. I've always kept the bottles clean and closed when not in use, and never had a shelf life problem even after a couple of years.
I used to use Michaels 40% off couplons to buy it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
hudson5405 Realistic water? magic water? Envirotex?
Early on, I used Woodland Scenics Realistic Water on several projects. I found it difficult to work with. It needs to be poured in several thin layers. It takes forever to change from cloudy to clear. And, it is expensive.
More recently, I have used Envirotex Lite with excellent results. It only requires a single pour, and it cures fairly quickly retaining its initial clear consistency.
My choice going forward would be Envirotex Lite.
Rich
Alton Junction
I always use multiple pours with any significant depth of Envirotex. For a shallow trackside ditch one pour is fine, but some users have problems with bubbles being produced in deeper bodies of water. Also, I like to pour several different layers with different tinting, which gives optical depthe to the scene.
Providing you have a good handle on how to make 'water' look decent in scale, you can use any of the following to good effect (I did, and am not particularly highly accomplished, but I DID experiment in order to learn and to build skill):
a. Craft store acrylic 'glossy' medium. Mod Podge is a popular and widely available example:
b. Gel gloss medium (it's like cold cream in appearance, but worked to form waves is what it does best); and
c. Any two-part epoxy. I have successfully used Swing Paint's finish quality epoxy called Nu-Lustre 55, and I have used Envirotex. Again, if you know what you're doing, and can be patient and careful, two-part epoxies are wonderful and durable. But do follow the measuring and mixing instructions to a double-T. Or, you'll get sticky taffy.
An example of dyed (acrylic craft paints) epoxy topped with a thin bumpy coat of gel gloss medium for good effect:
One of the key questions is whether your want smooth water, rippled water, or rapids. Each has different techniques. For smooth water, I've used casting resins but have settled on a glaze coat with the brand name of Famowood. Like the casting resins, it's a two part epoxy. There are products that produce a rippled effect when they cure but I can't recall the name of them. For rapids, I've glued poly fiber in place and then coated it with Mod Podge
selectorAn example of dyed (acrylic craft paints) epoxy topped with a thin bumpy coat of gel gloss medium for good effect:
selector,
Been some years since I took your really nice looking piece of water and great photo as inspiration when creating my harbor scene. Thanks and regards, Peter
I have had OK results with a few products.
However, Woodland Scenics EZ-Water was terrible. Avoid this one.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
dknelson I have no opinion on what's best I can only report complete satisfaction with "Magic Water" from Unreal Details, so have never felt the need to experiment with other choices. Dave Nelson
Unfortunately Unreal Details seems to have gone under. I placed and ordered and received an email they were no longer making the product due to the owner passing away.
In the past I've tinkered with some of those "water" products, but in most cases, wasn't too impressed with the results.
I have seen some very nicely-done water scenes both here and elsewhere, but haven't bothered to go back to those products, simply settling for painted plaster on my layout.
Wayne
Selector, do you recall specifically the green you used in that AMAZING scene? Thats the exact effect I'm looking for on my water surface. Dan
i have had great luck with walmarts potting liquid for floral jars .. its a two part resin, clear, and sets uo nicely for standing water .. i haven't tried it for water with ripples .. and it tints nicely with water based craft paint .. and best of all, it's easy to get and bonus ..cheap!
I like Envirotex. Just put it in 1/4" layers b/c any thicker and won't set. It takes awhile but the results look quite realistic.