Hi Everyone!

I am currently working on a river diorama in which the river runs off each end of the base. Usually I use perspex dams permanently sealed in place with silicon sealer to keep the resin from running off but I was wondering if there is another way I could do it so that I could remove the dams after the resin started to cure? If someone could recommend something I would be hugely grateful. I'm stumped as to how I could go about this without risking leakage.
Thanks so much lads!!

Kris

Kris,

Here is what I normally do:

1. Get my hands on a clear plastic sheet. Overhead transparencies work really well for that. They are thin, flexible and resin will not stick to them.

2. Cut a strip long enough and wide (tall) enough so that it completely covers the gap (end of the river bed). In your case you will want to cut two of them. One for each end of your river bed.

3. Get some Plastalina. Plastalina is a non-hardening clay that you can get at any decent arts and crafts store. You will need to work it pretty well until it is soft and sticky

4. Position one of your plastic strips in such way that it is flush with the bottom of your base so that there is no gap. Then take the Plastalina and carefully stick it all along the edge of where the plastic sheet meets the base. Apply enough of it there so make sure it is air tight.

5. Now do the same thing to the edges of the plastic sheet. Make sure that they overlap the river banks a bit. Again, use plastalina to secure the strip.

6. Repeat this procedure on the other side of the river bed.

What you will end up with are two clear plastic dams. If you do this right, no resin will leak or seep through.

I hope this makes sense.

Thanks Marty! I'll let you know how I get on

Oh yeah, one thing I forgot to mention, although it is probably quite obvious, is that once your pour the resin and it hardens you should be able to remove both dams without any problems. Plastalina won't live any marks on your base and the plastic transparency sheet won't stick to your resin water.