Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
How To Model Water
Mason posted this question:
“I know there are lots of fancy ways to model water on a layout, but I am wanting to model a couple of little patches of water a bit bigger than puddles in a sort of ditch on the side of my little country road. I don’t need much water, but I want it to look a bit muddy and stagnant. What material or method should I use without going to the expense of buying resin?”
7 Responses to How To Model Water
Leave a Reply
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
Download Your Free Catalog
Use Tiny Railroad Micro Controllers
Model Train Help Ebook
Mod podge and acrylic paints work quite well for that
Yes Mod Podge is an excellent product for a number of uses including using it as an adhesive and sealant. Perfect for gluing and sealing cardboard buildings too.
PVA glue dries clear. I have used it to ‘fill’ a garden pond on my layout – a few thin layers allowed to dry a layer at a time.
Very recently found a WILKO (Wilkinsons) product ‘Lets Create’ Clear Glue ~ @ £1:50p but have used it just the once as yet.. Like PVA., but is colourless to start and the single layer I’ve put down dried crystal clear. I use successive layers of dark paint, Glue, mid paint ( or white ‘rush’ ) topped with a final glue coat ~ Allow the final coat to ‘slide’ on a very shallow incline to get a ‘flow’ in the direction required and ‘tease’ with a cocktail stick during stages of ‘tacky-dry’ for ruffles and rippling as needed. Yet to try-it with this New finding…
Mason,
I have used epoxy glue quite successfully in small puddles, almost dry ditches and bird baths on my HO layout. Use paint under the glue to get the colour and /or effect you want.
I paint the bottom of the water feature in the colours I want to depict, then cover the area with “Pouring Medium” – you can get it from art suppliers. Works well and is very durable.
Some time ago I read somewhere that if you wanted waterfalls and water features one could get a good result from ‘Bathroom Silicone Sealant’. The method is to streak lines on a sheet of glass and use several layers as required then peel it off. I’ve used it several times and it looks the part. This is also a method for puddles, ditches etc. give it a go I’m sure you will be quite surprised at the result.