I’ll be pouring “water” for my layout’s log pond (approximately 8" x 12") in the not too distant future. A scenery book from the mid eighties suggests using full strength Mod Podge to seal the area. A June 2004 MR article suggests Bondex plaster of paris. Is there a more up to date product/process for sealing a water feature area? If so, what is it? If not, is Mod Podge preferable to Bondex or vice versa?
All suggestions will be appreciated.
Roger,
Here’s my thoughts. I’ve used Mod-Podge. It’s kinda watery, but it will go on a lot like paint. I’ve not used Bondex, but plasters tend to go on heavy and wet, so I’d think would tend to settle to the bottom of the pond feature (unless it somehow has a different consistency than I’m thinking). If there’s a lot of elevation change in the pond, the Mod-Podge will probably work better, while not tending to pool in the bottom.
While rummaging around my garage a short time ago I came across an aerosol can of Flexible Sealer Bryan Home Armor. The can says it “stops water leaks,” “fills cracks,” etc. does anybody have any experience with this product?
I used a piece of pink insulating foam for the bottom of my waterway/pond. Since I used caulk to glue it to the bottom, it was already sealed. To model the banks, I used plaster cloth, covered with a very thin layer of plaster.
I have used wood putty, but there is no reason Mod Podge wouldn’t work. However, if you don’t want the liquid gloss medium that Mod Podge is, look in a craft center for gel gloss medium. It is a white Nivea-like cream that you can spread thinly enough not to waste it, and it won’t run. When cured, like Mod Podge, it will provide a sealed surface.
-Crandell
What will you be using to make your water?
I have used both WS Realistic Water and Liquitex gloss medium, Both of them were applied to Sculptamold which had been painted with Glidden interior latex paint and airbrushed with Testors Modelmaster acryl flat black. No additional sealing was required. I made cofferdams out of scrap lumber and masking tape at the egde of the layout to keep the product from running out onto the floor.
I usually carve my ponds and streams into pink foam, so they really don’t need much sealing. Even so, I cover the rough foam with plaster cloth to get a more even bed, and then I rub that with white glue until all the little holes are gone.
I use Envirotex Lite for the water. Sometimes the first pour seems to disappear, but it’s being wicked up into the plaster surrounding the pond. Nevertheless, I always cover the floor below the pond under the layout, just in case there is a leak.