I use to use the regular modg podge on printed sayings on papers to prepare for submersion in hot wax and although it went on as a white color it dried clear. Perhaps we can get more input from the guys in the know.
Yes, it’s clear, and anything embedded in it can be readily seen.
Modge podge is an acrylic medium. It dries clear.
HI
I have only done streams rather than rivers.
I paint the base in apropriate colours then when thats dry paint it with a thin coat of Tamiya clear blue.
after that is dry I pour in in several thin layers of full gloss solvant based artists varnish.
It can take anything up to a week to dry properly once poured
The end reult looks like water and the surounding scenery reflects in the water and often forms ripples on its own
so looks natural.
A word of caution a lot of the different methods used for water need the base to be well sealed so the “water” doesn’t leak through. Make sure you put a drop sheet or a load of old news papers on the floor where your river is.Just in case it does spring a leak.
regards John
Nice to see a Nscale modeler
I am an Nscale modeler and my Maclau River RR live in the fictitious valley of the Maclau.
I use a lot of “water” as scenery and have used many methods but I am a firmly beleiver of the “keep it simple”.
Port Allen is a big place on my layout whith a great piece of water, this water is illusin and had no depht, I first painted the plywood base whith deep blue gloss enamel whith some sand around the edge to simulate the different depht, When dry the paint is painted whith acrilycs medium heavy gel (from Golden), this gel dry clear but give body waves more easily than gloss medium.
When the gel is dry I brush it whith cheap clear epoxy, two or three coat, I don’t pour it but brush it whith a cheap brush, this give a good control for the countours, the result is here on the picture,
The following diorama was the subject of an article in an belgian train magazine.
Here I have used Magic Water from Woodland Scenic, waves were made from acrilycs gloss medium (Golden), these two products are acrylics based and are easy to use. The magic water is easy to use for small project, and dry perfectly clear whith no contaction; the only drawback is the driyng time, a few days.
The riverbed is made from Gator foam, glued whith hot glue, decorated as usual whith the chutes made in silicone marked like falling water whith piece of a cheap thomb.[URL=http://s260.photobucket.com/user/mac
Thanks John thats some good information and technique.
thanks Marc_Magnus I really enjoy your evolution of a scene. Question, did you use a ground goop or something similar on the foam board to start with as an innitial coat?
Thanks
Lynn
The base of the foam was first painted whith an heavy coat of brown latex paint which is slighly covered whith a brown sand when the paint is still wet.
When dry, another scenery product are added as usual, the vegetation on the pictures is most Woodland Scenics clump foliage of different green, ground is real soil from my garden and the road is small heavy sand, everything is glued whith diluted white glue in a 50-50 water based mixture.
The hardshell is heavy soft paper impregnated whith diluted white glue, this paper is now replaced by Red Rosin Paper also covered whith strong whithe glue.
Hope this could help You.
Marc