Has anyone used this product for water scenes?

[PrairieKnight]

There are a few areas on my layout that I am working on using green insulation and Woodland Scenics plaster sheets. I would like to model a stream going through these areas. I found this product at the Kalamazoo model railroad show last year and was wondering what experiences anyone has had using this MTP WA-0 Model Water product:

Also, the bottle states that this is a water based product. What can I put on the Woodland Scenics plaster sheets that will keep the Model Water from softening the hardened plaster sheets and making a watery, plastery mess.

 

[logandsawman]

Have not used that specific product but used another brand one part water in a similar bottle and it got brittle and also glossed over. I believe I salvaged it by adding numerous coatings over that, but wish I would have used the Envirotex product instead.

Previously I used a product called Envirotex polymer coating and that, to me, is a superior product. It is a two part epoxy and multiple pours can create a deep effect.

Paint the surface below (mine was plaster similar to what you used) so it is impermeable. The colors will show through. I used a banded effect to create depth. I believe there are lots of youtube videos out there on this.

Dave LASM

 

[Rico]

Never tried that product so no help there. Maybe try a dab on something first?
Although I can tell you from experience that petty much anything you pour in will find an exit somewhere.
Make sure you seal the bottom, sides, and ends well and lay something under the layout to be safe.

 

[Selector]

What is the stated procedure for applying the substance? If it involves mixing with water or requires heating, give it a miss.

 

[PrairieKnight]

Well Selector...... after reading your post, I read the directions on the bottle . The directions say that the contents of the bottle that the Model Water comes in can be poured with no mixing or heating. It also says that the surface of the area where the pour is taking place should be molded out of Styrofoam with wood or styrene underneath that. I molded the base of the stream/pond by Dremeling/sanding a 1/4" deep area for the stream/pond on a 3/4" thick sheet of green insulation. I then put Woodland Scenics plaster sheets over the green insulation.

After reading the suggestions from Sawman and Rico.... I decided to take a separate test piece of green insulation and use a Dremel to make a 1/4" impression in the insulation. I then put a plaster sheet over the test piece. I painted the test piece and am currently waiting for that to dry. I am thinking the next step will be to spray a water proof clear sealant on the painted test piece and give that a good amount of time to dry and set. Then I will pour some of the Model Water on the test piece and see if there are any leaks.

If this does not work, I will more than likely use either Envirotex or take the plunge and get the Woodland Scenics version of model water.

 

[Selector]

Great! It might simply be someone's version or supply of 'gloss medium'. Mod Podge is but one example widely available at Walmart. It pours like syrup, and then you cover to keep dust and critters out of it, let it cure, probably for about two days, and then you can add wave tops or other water effects using gel gloss medium.

You did the right thing by crafting a 'water-tight' vessel because you don't want it oozing or leaking...anywhere if you can help it.

When you go to actually place it in quantity on your 'vessel' on the layout, please don't fill it all up to the top. You don't need a deep 'lake' or whatever. You paint the bottom surface you prepared to make it look 'feathered' as if looking into a lake from above and noticing that it gets lighter in colour toward the edges, toward the shore. Then pour a shallow 1/4" deep measure of the gloss medium, cover, let it cure. When it's hard to fingernail taps, you can then make it more natural using gel gloss medium, which looks exactly like 'cold cream', such as Nivea. I use a paint brush to slather a layer over the obviously fake gloss medium shiny and flat surface, and then stipple the gel with the side of the paint brush. It leaves peaks and valleys that, when cured and hard, will be clear and look like the winds are running over your 'lake'.

This is a diorama I crafted many years ago. You can see the stippled effect on the 'water' surface: (Note to Admin - when I go back to edit this apparently failed IMG link, the edit shows the photo in full without errors. Not sure what's going wrong here.)

 

[PrairieKnight]

UPDATE: I painted the test piece with Walmart craft acrylic paint. After that dried I sprayed the test piece with this craft sealant from Walmart:

After that dried I poured some of the Model Water pictured in the OP onto the test piece. No leaks. I will post photos when after I have applied static grass, greenery, and the Model Water to the stream areas on the layout

 

[PrairieKnight]

Update: I have the two water areas finished to where I can post a few photos. This water product worked great and I would not hesitate to use it again. Now... if anyone can tell me where I might find some Grand Central Gem pine trees.. I could use more of those.

Pond:

Stream:

 

[GGNInNScale]

I use two-part casting resin. CraftSmart brand. I buy it at Michael's. Not too pricey, good shelf life, too. I use the little paper dixie cups for mixing. You can pour many layers, and add paint or details as you go. It does really flatten out, so I use the Woodland Scenics water stuff (different types) to make texture in the water, and add some acrylic paint for rushing water or water falls.

 

[BunkerTheHusky]

I use two-part casting resin. CraftSmart brand. I buy it at Michael's. Not too pricey, good shelf life, too. I use the little paper dixie cups for mixing. You can pour many layers, and add paint or details as you go. It does really flatten out, so I use the Woodland Scenics water stuff (different types) to make texture in the water, and add some acrylic paint for rushing water or water falls.

This looks awesome! What you're doing is the way to do it, and you did one heck of a job. Very nicely done

 

[GGNInNScale]

This looks awesome! What you're doing is the way to do it, and you did one heck of a job. Very nicely done

Thanks! The Woodland stuff is "Water Ripples".