introduction
If you build dioramas, I have a feeling you will have an interest in this product line.
Maus Werx out of Colorado Springs CO. has some very cool and different ground material and oil staining products they sent my way to take for a test drive. I did just that and I am quite happy with the way they performed.
the products
Ground cover Materials (
Maus Mix) - $12.95ea.
#MM-SU Summer
#MM-FA Fall
#MM-WM Winter Mud
#MM-WF Winter Frost
#MM-SN Snow Flakes
Oil Stains for wood (
Maus Stains) - $5.95ea.
#MS-DW Dark Wood
#MS-OW Oak Wood
#MS-FW Faded Wood
#MS-BW Old Wood
Clear Coat-$4.95ea.
#MP-CC
review
The ground cover materials are a mixture of various materials that together create an effect that is different than what I have found with Woodland Scenic (WS) products I have used in the past. They are used in the same manner; apply some white glue to the area you want to cover, sprinkle on the ground materials to completely cover the area, lightly tamp the material down, then tilt and lightly tap to remove the excess. You can add additional layers for different effects. It can then be sealed for a more permanent result using WS Scenic Cement or a diluted mixture of white glue and water. They come in a nice heavy glass jar with a sealable lid featuring the Maus Werx logo and easy to follow instructions on the reverse side of the jar.
The ground cover mixtures contain small clumps of material that are well suited as small bushes and/weeds. The colors replicate those found in nature pretty closely and its all in one container. No need to buy dead grass, dark green grass, bush clumps etc. separately.
My test sample is a piece of 1 thick foam insulation material painted on one side with a black acrylic paint and left to dry. Once dry it was sectioned off into four areas. I applied a nice layer of Elmers white glue with a brush, and then sprinkled on my mixture. I repeated these steps for all four colors and didnt apply any paint to them as I wanted to show what they look like straight from the jar. I sealed everything in with a light coat of Scenic Cement and left it to dry. I tested the Snow Flakes on a separate smaller piece with all four of the colors and got a little carried away, but it looks great none the less.
My test subjects for the wood stains are really fancy pieces of popsicle stick or craft sticks imported all the way in from the nearest Hobby Lobby. The three darker stains are oil based and the faded wood stain is a water based stain. I applied them as the directions stated, with a brush, then wiped them with a clean rag. I applied two coats to ensure I got good coverage on them. I left half of the sticks unstained so-as to show the before and after effects of the stains. Coverage is good, and clean up is easy with a little thinner.
I also received a small jar of acrylic based clear coat, but have as yet to be able to try it. If it is as good as the other products, I have no worries!
Maus Werx is a small company that offers a variety of products and will add more as they grow. More information about them and their products can be found here on the website:
Maus Werx
I would like to thank Maus Werx for providing the review samples.
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