I think I finally got the colors right for my river and I want to start pouring Envirotex, but I now realize I may have a problem.
I have a small water fall that needs a dam to prevent all the Envirotex from empting into the lower section. I thought about using some clear caulking, but I don’t know how it will look. Another thought would be to raise one end high enough to prevent it from spilling over, but the river is kind of long and may end up too thin at the end. I read that I can use a sponge and wax paper, but again, I don’t think that will work.
Should I use the clear caulk or is there another way to solve this problem?
The river is flowing from top to bottom.
When I do fiberglass work (Envirotex is a type of fiberglass resin) I use wax paper as the non-stick surface. Perhaps cardboard or plastic sheet faced with wax paper will serve as a temporary dam.
just my thoughts and experiences
Fred W
I created a lip using joint compound which comes in a powdered form and has a much longer working time than any other plaster type product I have used in the past. I will use the white water curtain of water falling over the falls to disguise this lip. The lip is only about 1/8" high which is as deep as I will pour the water. I will use a dark river bottom to simulate greater depth. I have done a test pour using real water to check for level and for leaks but haven’t gotten around to coloring the bottom yet. I also haven’t decided whether a will use polyfiber to simulate the curtain of water falling over the falls or WS Water Effect. I am going to experiment with both before committing to one or the other.
I have not thought of that. I don’t have any, but I think I’m going to check it out. Thanks!
Is that something you can get at Walmart?
I used green painters’ tape. I used the 2" kind and folded it so that the envirotex (I used something else) would not stick to the green smooth surface, and the sticky part below the fold adhered to the platform. It worked okay.
Probably. Look by the floral foam in arts & crafts. Pretty sure that’s where I got mine. Or maybe the toy section for something like Play-Doh.
Selector, You said you used something else instead of Envirotex. Was it Epoxy Resin by any chance? I have not yet purchased the Envirotex and I have an unopened ½ gal of Everfix Epoxy Resin. I was wondering if I could use that instead of the Envirotex.
Sleeper, I used a product made by Swing Paints, called Nu-Lustre 55. I am fairly certain it is a typical two-part epoxy comprising resin and hardener that are to be mixed thoroughly in equal measure. It dries nice and clear. I haven’t priced Envirotex, but if you do and then inquire over the phone from your local hardware store, they should carry epoxy in their paints and finishes section. You may save shipping costs at the least, and maybe more.
Just a caution…don’t take shortcuts. Read the instructions and follow them to the T. I did with the Nu-Lustre and was gratified with excellent results. Measure each liquid carefully, combine them, mix for at least two full minutes without trying to whip it (deliberate mixing at slowish speed), decant into a second clean vessel, and then stir for another two full minutes. Pour slowly over a fairly wide area, spread with a disposable spatula to get it to the corners without actually painting (just get it mostly there), and then wait 5-10 minutes for it to spread and settle. You will probably find tiny bubbles throughout. No worries. Take a soda straw and blow gently on the surface using the soda straw. Amazingly, all the bubbles disappear like magic.
Here is what it looks like when hardened. Now 16 months old.
Now this is just a suggestion but what about using Hot Glue. Put a line of hot glue on the lip of the dam and wait til it dries. Then pour your water when it hardens you can use an xacto knife to pry up the hot glue. You might have to touch up some of the paint under the hot glue. In theory it should work.
Maybe even use the hot glue to simulate the water rushing over the dam.
Just my [2c]
Norman…
Whatever dam method ([:-^]) you try, experiment off-layout first.
You don’t want to find out the hard way that something doesn’t work!