Hi everyone

Im building a diorama that includes a ditch running along one side of it, and i'd like to make it look wet, or represent some kind of waterin it. Ive heard of products like EZ water etc but i cant seem to find them at my local model shop, But - would PVA glue be ok to use? it sets clear as far as im aware and i believe its a technique thats been used in dioramas before.
I figured that if i base coat the ditch its brown colour i could add some PVA and it might make it look water-y. Any ideas/opinions would be gratefully accepted!

thanx all

alpha :-)

There are several ways you can do this.

1. Pour in many, many, many thin layers of Kleer.
2. Use transparent casting resin.
3. Build up the area with transparent gel medium. Available at artist supply stores.
4. Cut some clear plastic from some packaging and feather it into the ditch.

I know you said you couldn't find EZ water. Did you try a shop that specializes in trains? They usually have this product. Perhaps you could order it from Hannants?

Modlers got some good ideas, you should try what you have available.
Another one you may want to try in a small area is clear household calking. The stuff you seal your bathroom with. Make sure it says on the container that it drys clear.

Do a search on water in the forums and you'll turn up another couple of ideas. I know Keith uses another clear product that he says is great and can be purchased at a craft store.

Yes Slodder - the product I use is EnviroTex Pour-On which is available online... I buy mine at Michaels Craft store or Hobby Lobby. The stuff is almost fool-proof, gives great results, and can be poured "deep". Here is a link

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/artcity-com/eti-2xxx.html

Mike/Slodder/Keith

Great stuff, loads of ideas - i checked out the envirotex idea and found a stockist here in the u.k - its quite cheap too. I'll probably order that if thats the best thing to go with. The diorama itself is coming on, and is ready for painting, ill post some pics on msn.

the link for the envirotex stockist (uk) is below.

http://www.clarke-coatings.co.uk/envirotex.html

Thanx for your help everyone! alpha

Kieth, does the Envirotex heat up as it dries? I want to try modeling a tank fording a stream, but I know that resin will melt my plastic.

ModlerMike
Check out this article
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/150

I am going to submerge a jeep for the Splash Campaign and this is the stuff I'm going to use. It does not heat up. UPDATE: It doesn't heat up much. Be careful with thinner less dense plastics. You may loose a bit of edge on some detail.

Here's an example


I got the stuff at Michael's Craft Store.

So, Slodder, you used the clear casting resin to make your water? I have loved that little diorama since I first saw it. Maybe I'll give the clear resin a whirl...

I sure did. It works well. Just test it with any submerdged plastic.
I also found that there are colors for it -make sure you get transparent ones (actually labeled transparent).
Its nice, inexpensive, easy to work with.

Cool. I love the clear that you did in the Stuart dio. I can still see the fish in that stream. That will probably work out fine for my app in the Splash deal. Thanks for the help. When are you going to do the AMTRAC that is in your sig file rolling through the surf? I think you already have the water down. Thanks again.

Shaun

the following method is quite simple ......... but not much good if you want to have something in it ...... other than cutting of all the submerged part.
Layers of clear varnish. Tint the first layers with some dark green and each layer gets less green. The waves are made with clear gel superglue. The drybrush a little light beige green and the tips with pure white. Then a few more layers of varnish and it can look quite convincing!

Though I have clear resin within hand's reach on my table, I think I'll try the "coating" technique for the "splash" campaign dio... really impressive work you did there ! wow !

Keith

The info about the pour all is great. Guys like you sure make life alot easier for newbies like me.


Paul

While Pour On does get "warm" during cure time, it doesn't get hot enough to melt plastic... i have submerged vehicles in the stuff with no ill effects... but still, you should probably do a test peice for your own sake!

While Pour On does get "warm" during cure time, it doesn't get hot enough to melt plastic... i have submerged vehicles in the stuff with no ill effects... but still, you should probably do a test peice for your own sake!