Is Minwax® Clear Gloss Polyurethane the same as gloss medium used in riverbeds?
I’m looking for Gloss Medium for my river bed, so I did a search for “gloss medium” on google and came up with acrylic varnish. I have almost a gallon of this stuff from refinishing my kitchen cabinets.
Johnny
No, polyurethane is not the same as gloss medium. Acrylic varnish of the type you’re describing is good for use on cabinets and wood furniture, not for making lakes and rivers. It’s been my experience that it tends to yellow if poured more than a 1/8" and it can also crack while setting. Gloss medium can be obtained from arts and crafts stores and is also available from Wal-Mart in the crafts department.
I went to Wal-mart and the only thing they had was “Floating Medium”. I bought a small bottle, but I don’t know what it is.
Did you see their ‘Mod Podge’ products there? They have a gloss Mod Podge and a medium one. The gloss type is a lot like gloss medium.
Yes I did see the gloss Mod Podge, but I thought it was glue and I realy don’t know what I need.[%-)] I guess I need to buy a book because its to hard to find all the information that I need.
It is like glue and can be used as such. It also dries clear, like gloss medium.
Thanks, tomorrow there will be more stores open and I’ll try again some place else. I realy hate going to Wal-mart.
I know what you mean, but it’s the only place around here that I can find descent modeling supplies. I have to go to Alexandria for the paint and trains.
You can also use Future floor finish for a gloss finish.
Dave H.
Or you could shop a little on the Internet at a number of art supply houses and save on the price of gas. Such as: http://www.texasart.com/store/view.cfm?group_id=805&store=001 Find one with low shipping also if you can.
Minwax Gloss Poly can be used for water, if brushed on. The solvent based version (Polyurathane) does dry with a slight amber tint, nice when working with wood, but could be an issue with water. I used it once for a polluted river, and it turned out fine. The water based version (Polycrylic) goes on milky white and dries clear.
Any well stocked Arts and Crafts store, (AC Moore, Micheal’s) should have gloss medium in the paint section.
Nick
Thanks, I was trying do a little work on my layout today, but it didn’t work out. I was hoping that I could use something I already had and I knew I might even have a very small can of the Minwax Gloss Poly, but it went bad. I’m just going to have to wait.
I did order two books; “Basic Scenery for Model Railroaders: The Complete Photo Guide (Model Railroader Books)” and “The New Scenery Tips & Techniques (Model Railroader)”. I hope these are good books.
I’ve ordered so many useless books in the past. Like the Atlas books, I read the whole book in 3 min and was done. Could have got the same information in the instructions.
Don’t we all? Try an art supply store. Liquitex is a good brand of acrylic gloss medium, as are others.
Both books should serve you well, although, Tips & Techniques is just a reprint of past MR articles. My absolute favorite scenery book is Dave Frary’s How to Build Realistic Model Railroad Scenery. Lou Sassi’s Basic Scenery for Model Railroaders (one you picked up) is a close second.
Nick
Absolutely first-rate!
I took a look at this book on google and does look pretty good. I guess I should have asked before I bought.