I have been putting down some grass and some ballast whenever the urge strikes.
I have noticed that my 50-50 mix of white glue and filtered water ( with a few drops of detergent) separates after a day or so. The water stays on top. I stir up the viscous blob back into the water and it seems to retain its original holding properties.
Would another mix last longer? Should I just keep stirring?
73
Bruce in the Peg
The glue and water separating is normal when it is left standing. I put some small rocks in the bottom of my glue dispenser to help stir the pot when it is shaken before use.
Other than the problem of separation, long term storage does not seem to affect the glue.
All I can say Bruce is that I have always used 3:1 Elmers white glue and always make sure the mixture is well shaken before each use. When it sits it will seperate some. Using this mixture has always turned out rock solid and on my first layout a long time ago, (thirty years) it was very hard to the end when I tore it down.
On my new build I still have used the same formula with two drops of Dawn and it is also rock hard. If I want to make a track change I spray with water and wait for an hour and remove the track. I am old school and prefer the glue over Matte Medium. Doug
It's normal for the glue, water and detergent to separate. I have a couple bottles of it taht've been standing for several years. When I need it I shake it up and it's ready to go.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I don't use water. I dilute the Elmer's white glue with alcohol. The alcohol evaporates away, leaving the glue on the layout. It separates in storage. I also place a couple of small rocks in it to help it mix when shaking it. If it works in rattle can paint, I should work in glue.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I use matt medium exactily for the reason that it water will not effect it much. Scenery is a layering process and it is counter productive to weaken the previous layers.
I have a mixture of Elmers and water that is going on 15+ years and still working fine. I shake viggorously previous to use.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
I also use alcohol rather than water. My 70% alcohol/30% wite glue has lasted fine for several months before it gets used up. Magazines have mentioned a 50%/50% mix for years and tons of modelers use it, but I find that less glue does just fine, dries faster (especially using alcohol) and is less likely to leave the rare white spot.
Jim
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.
I drop a 1oz. fishing weight into those burger joint condiment bottles with my diluted glue. The mixture, which has already been commented on, does separate. The large fishing weight works just like the steel ball in a rattle can of spray paint. The bottles are translucent, so it's easy to tell when the mixture is thoroughly mixed up.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Keep stirring-you will be just fine.The gunk at the bottom of your bottle is the result of the resins that make up the glue being pulled out of the solution by our old friend gravity. When we add water,deteregent and/or alcohol to the glue, we reduce the concentration of the ingredients that help to keep the adhesive resins evenly distributed. Stirring pulls all of the good stuff off the bottom. No stirring=no adhesive film and bond failure of whatever you were glueing together.
All white glues are emulsions of petrochemical resins and water, and the resins are heavier than the water which acts as a carrier. You can create the same effect with milk,which is also an emulsion of a different sort. Add water, a dash of detergent and let the milk sit in the fridge for a while, and sooner or later the milk solids wind up on the bottom. Word to the wise...do not drink this sample of milk.
Don H.
Medina1128
A $1.98 for Boneless Pork Loin Chop's! WHAT A DEAL!!!!!
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
BATMAN Medina1128 A $1.98 for Boneless Pork Loin Chop's! WHAT A DEAL!!!!!
Yup, Leave it you Brent, to "spot" that one! Such a deal, i want to shop there.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
bogp40 BATMAN Medina1128 A $1.98 for Boneless Pork Loin Chop's! WHAT A DEAL!!!!! Yup, Leave it you Brent, to "spot" that one! Such a deal, i want to shop there.
What a bunch of chowhounds.