[Note - relocated from trains.com/General Discussion]
I’ve included a few ponds and lakes on my layout and used the product
from Woodland Scenics for water effects. So Expensive, Wow !
Any suggestions on a cheaper substitute ?
Thank You, Bill
Bill:
You probably will have much better responses if you re-post this on Model Railroader’s Forum, Good Luck with your quest.
Second the MR forum suggestion, but I do recall an article ages ago (but I don’t remember which magazine) about a fellow who used the real thing to make a harbor that included a boat that moved through the water.
Probably more expensive than the usual scenery materials, too, especially if it sprung a leak…
If only someone made a clear glue!!!
There are several - depends on what you want to do.
Oh ok. Thanks Larry.
Justin
Bill, I moved your question to this forum. If you go to Wal Mart, in the crafts section, look under the paints and decorative finishes for “Mod Podge” gloss medium. It is relatively inexpensive. The trick, with all fake water products, is to do several shallow ours, maybe 1/8-1/4" thick, let each dry for a day or two, and then add another. You can dye the Mod Podge, but a half drop of acylic crafts paint in about a 1/4 cup of the stuff goes a long way. Don’t add any more.
It will probably dry level and shiny, like a fake lake. Add one more layer of gel gloss medium, if you can find some, and stipple it with a foam brush. When the gel medium dries, it will leave it looking like a naturally disturbed surface.
-Crandell
I use Envirotex Light for my water. It is a clear, two-part epoxy. Like all of these products, it is best applied in multiple thin pours of about 1/8th inch each. 3 or 4 pours should do it. “Depth” is achieved by painting the base before he first layer. I too like to tint my “water” slightly, with darker colors on the lower pours and lighter ones at the top. Again, that gives it “depth.”
Envirotex Light is relatively pricey, but it’s available at A.C. Moore and Michaels craft stores. It’s still expensive there, of course, but if you go to www.acmoore.com, most weeks you will find a coupon good for 40 or even 50 percent off on one item. So, that $35 package of Envirotex is only $17.50, and that large-size will last you a long time. Since we have both of these stores in our area, Michaels will accept the A.C. Moore coupons.
While you’re there, you’ll find that these stores have vast amounts of craft paints, brushes, and a selection of balsa wood shapes that most train shops don’t carry.
Thanks, I’ll be trying that out.
Besides two cascading rivers constructed with Magic Water, I have two fairly large harbors. For these I used several sheets of translucent plastic with varigated patterns, (that are used in doors, and suspended ceilings). I painted the plastic base with appropriate dark bluish green. This is a cheap way to make large harbor areas. Bob Hahn Click on the photo to enlarge it, then click on the photo series at the left to see the rest of my layout. 
This may keep cost down. I applioed WS water effects over the clear acrylic.
I’ve used the ws stuff and really didn’t care for the results then when I put in the new river this year I used envirotex and loved the results and then went over the ws area waterfall and small river with envirotex , what a differnce.