Has anyone ever added food coloring to Woodland Scenic’s Realistic Water?? If so, did it have an adverse affect on the curing process?
-rw
I have used Realisitc Water and have had best success coloring the bottom to the stream, leaving the Realistic Water clear and allowing the color to show through. I think food color would make the water too colored and not look realistic.
Ron
Rdbleu,
In order to incorporate the food color into the RW, you’d have to throughly stir it in. In so doing, you’d create SO many bubbles that they would not all pop before the RW cured.
Ron’s right. The best, best-looking, and most tried-and-true method of coloring water is to just paint or shade the bottom first THEN pour the RW over the top of that. Food coloring may or may not have an adverse effect on the curing process of the RW. And, it’s hard to say. You could always do an experiment using an old (but well cleaned) tuna fish can and report back whay you end up finding? I’d be interested to know what you find out…
Tom
Unless you want to model poluted water ala George Selios on his F&SM, I have to agree with those who recommend painting the bottom and pouring the “water” clear. Keep in mind you can see through shallow water but light reflects off deep water so you want to create this illusion with the way you paint your water feature. Near the shore, the bottom can be an extension of the bank but the color should darken gradually until you get to the deepest part of your water where you can use black, midnight blue or very dark green. Even though the RW is only going to be poured fairly shallow, it will give the illusion of a deeper body of water. On the other hand, if you model a very shallow stream, you might not want to darken the middle of the stream much more than near the bank because in real life, you would be able to see the bottom. I have done this with very good effects.
In my dealings with Realistic Water it’s strong point is representing shallow water. I did a small rushing stream with it and liked the results.
I have a “what I did” at:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/rushing_water/
I think colored water can be easily duplicated with painting and a gloss medium layer.
at:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/pond/
Deeper water can be represented by just a reflective surface.
at:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/scenery/ballon_pond/
Just a thought
Harold
The only water I have used is the EZ Water from Woodland Scenics. (melt it in a pan stuff) I have really liked the results. You just paint a color where the water goes. Pour it in thin and you can use your heat gun to add ripples or pop bubbles.
I haven’t tried food coloring, but I have mixed Realistic Water with WS rock-
coloring pigments. I didn’t add very much, just a hint of color. I stirred it
VERY carefully, and the few bubbles I did have popped well before the
stuff cured. I painted my lake bottom with Floquill. When I get around to
pouring a deep creek, I think I’ll go heavier on the WS liquid pigment.
And I might stain the bottom with the liquid pigments, as well.
At any rate, I’m very pleased with the results of my lake !
[:D][8D]