As some may know I am new to modeling and am about to embark on the journey of making my first diorama when I get back from Iraq. I am making an Iraq War diorama and I have been thinking about what I want in it. I would like to have water in it. Not an ocean but a barrel that will be on a roof that collects rain water and possibly stagnant water in the street or in a gulley or something. The water I think should be clear.

I have looked at numerous posts and gotten more confused. These are the products/ ideas I have come up with. Can anyone tell me which one is going to be the easiest and best resulting to work with? I have added websites simply to see the products that I am talking about.

www.creativewholesale.com
"NEW" Easy Cast Clear Casting Epoxy
Clear Polyester Casting Resin
Clear Casting Resin with Catalyst

www.dickblick.com
Envirotex Lite

I have also read Clear Gloss Varnish works.

Can anyone oint me in the right direction?

Thanks

The Envirotex has gotten great reviews and looks very easy to use. Especially for thin puddles and just the representation of water.
It's also available in reatail stores like Michaels and AC moores in smaller quantities.

The clear varnish won't give you any depth whatsoever. If you're only looking for shine or sheen that would be "OK".

For small areas like that you may want to consider Woodland Scenics realistic water.

clear casting resin is easy to use too...just mix the resin part with the hardener and pour and let it sit...easy

Welcome to Armorama Tony. If I've read you're post right you just need to have a small amount of water represented. I'd go with Polyurethane glue. The brand I use is from Selleys. It works well for me for puddles, dials and small bodies of water.

Make sure you squeeze a bit at a time as bubbles sometimes form if its too thick. At any rate you needn't fill the whole barrel as you could always build up the bottom with PVA which dries semi-transparent anyway but is not gloss. Polyurethane glue does dry glossy and its pretty good for icicles as well.

Besides its cheap and you could always use it to stick other stuff. I have a pic somewhere I think in my gallery. Let me know if you need a visual.