Envirotex for River
Mark Reinen
After you pour the envirotex and it has leveled out just breath over the
surface. The cabon dioxide from your exhaled breath will draw the bubbles to
the surface and they will evaporate.Works for me 100% of the time. Mark
Reinen Nscale for 27 years.
Reg Barron wrote:
> "T." <Tr...@NOSPAM.COM> wrote:
> >On Mon, 12 Jan 1998, Jim Cullen wrote:
> >
> >> I will be getting to the river on my layout in a week or so and was
> >> planning on using Envirotex. I tried the Woodland Scenics pellet stuff
> >> on a small pond and ended up with a lot of bubbles. It was so bad that
> >> I covered the lake with scenery. Is there a danger of getting bubbles
> >> using Envirotex? If so, how do you prevent it?
> >> Also, will be painting the sealed bottom of the river with blended
> >> shades of color, from light to dark to simulate the bottom of the river.
> >> Is it best to use gloss or flat paint to do this?
> >
> >Hi Jim,
> >
> > I've seen some articles by Malcolm Furlow in Model Railroader that
> >covers making rivers and lakes with Envirotex. He plays a Propane torch
> >flame over the envirotex right after pouring it-- That's supposed to get
> >the bubbles that formed when you pour to surface and pop.
> >
> > As for the paint to use for the riverbed, you definitely want a
> >dull, dark color to give the impression of depth.
> >
> > Speaking of dark colors, (grin) maybe you can try some of that
> >black radar-absorbing paint your company uses on the F-117A. (just
> >kidding) =) =)
> >
> >T.
> >
> Propane torch also works with Woodland Scenics. I have a small
> stream built for a test, no bubbles, would like to find "Good"
> method of tinting however. (PS, careful with the torch, I scorched
> the river bank).
>
> Reg Barron
Jim Cullen
I will be getting to the river on my layout in a week or so and was
planning on using Envirotex. I tried the Woodland Scenics pellet stuff
on a small pond and ended up with a lot of bubbles. It was so bad that
I covered the lake with scenery. Is there a danger of getting bubbles
using Envirotex? If so, how do you prevent it?
Also, will be painting the sealed bottom of the river with blended
shades of color, from light to dark to simulate the bottom of the river.
Is it best to use gloss or flat paint to do this?
Thanks.
Jim
T.
On Mon, 12 Jan 1998, Jim Cullen wrote:
Hi Jim,
Reg Barron
bu...@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Jim,
It looks like you are well into the process, but you might be able to use the
Masonite alternatiive.
Use the smooth side of Masonite as the water level. Feather the scenery down
onto the Masonite. Paint the Masonite black. Paint the bottom layer of the
scenery. Feather the scenery and sand color down to the black. Brush Liquitex
gloss medium over the water area. If you get a bit on shore, don't worry,
because it looks like water lapping on the side. Tint the the Liquitex with
blue or what ever color if you choose. Use about 4 coats. It is suprizing how
real it looks--and it is simple.
Jim Budde
K SF & PRr
In article <34BA33...@lmco.com>, Jim Cullen <jim.c...@lmco.com> writes:
> I will be getting to the river on my layout in a week or so and was
> planning on using Envirotex. I tried the Woodland Scenics pellet stuff
> on a small pond and ended up with a lot of bubbles. It was so bad that
> I covered the lake with scenery. Is there a danger of getting bubbles
> using Envirotex? If so, how do you prevent it?
>
> Also, will be painting the sealed bottom of the river with blended
> shades of color, from light to dark to simulate the bottom of the river.
> Is it best to use gloss or flat paint to do this?
>
> Thanks.
> Jim
a-j...@nospam.com
For very small areas, you can also use your breath in order to draw
out the bubbles....just keep blowing over the area. It has something
to do with the carbon dioxide passing over the envirotex as it begins
to cure.
On Mon, 12 Jan 1998 10:17:04 -0500, Jim Cullen <jim.c...@lmco.com>
wrote:
>>I will be getting to the river on my layout in a week or so and was
>>planning on using Envirotex. I tried the Woodland Scenics pellet stuff
>>on a small pond and ended up with a lot of bubbles. It was so bad that
>>I covered the lake with scenery. Is there a danger of getting bubbles
>>using Envirotex? If so, how do you prevent it?
>>
>>Also, will be painting the sealed bottom of the river with blended
>>shades of color, from light to dark to simulate the bottom of the river.
>>Is it best to use gloss or flat paint to do this?
>>
>>Thanks.
>>Jim
anon...@nospam.com
Anonymous to avoid being spanned
AlModel RR
I've used Envirotex for 2 rivers and 1 lake on my layout. It came out
beautiful. There was really no big problem with a few small bubbles that
appeared. By simply using my warm breathe and lightly blowing on the bubbles
they disappeared.
A couple of words of wisdom ... make sure there are no "pin holes" in your
riverbed as Envirotex will find them and leak onto your floor. I didn't have a
problem but laid a sheet of plastic below on the floor as a safety precaution.
(I had "sealed" all my pin holes by pouring a very watery plaster coating in
the river/lake and letting it dry before painting.) Other thing to keep in
mind is that Envirotex is "self-leveling". The first time I used it (practiced
on the layout of a deceased friend!) it appeared we would have to run to the
store and buy more as the thin coat we poured didn't cover the "bay", but when
we back to the layout after grabbing a quick sandwich we were surprised to find
it had spread under the wharf and covered the entire bay.
Also saw a modular layout with beautiful water running downhill in a creek
setting. When I asked what he used he said Envirotex, and when I asked how he
got it to run downhill, he said he held the module board at an angle for a
couple of hours while it dried!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Happy rails to you! ... Al Young, Redding CA
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mike Tennent
bu...@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu wrote:
>Jim,
>
>It looks like you are well into the process, but you might be able to use the
>Masonite alternatiive.
>
>Use the smooth side of Masonite as the water level. Feather the scenery down
>onto the Masonite. Paint the Masonite black. Paint the bottom layer of the
>scenery. Feather the scenery and sand color down to the black. Brush Liquitex
>gloss medium over the water area. If you get a bit on shore, don't worry,
>because it looks like water lapping on the side. Tint the the Liquitex with
>blue or what ever color if you choose. Use about 4 coats. It is suprizing how
>real it looks--and it is simple.
>
I'll second this method. I didn't use masonite as a base, but the
method of using a gloss medium was the same. No blow torches, no
bubbles.
It's amazing how the flat surface, if shaded correctly underneath,
looks like it has depth. I didn't tint my medium, just used the
shading underneath.
Mike "TriBop" Tennent
Remove "nospam." for email reply
IMC '98 IronVirgins Website
http://www.gate.net/~wbrunner/imc_iv.htm
WebRunner Running Page and my
Model Railroad page
http://www.gate.net/~wbrunner/
DHENK
>I will be getting to the river on my layout in a week or so and was
planning
>on using Envirotex. I tried the Woodland Scenics pellet stuff
on a small pond and ended up with a lot of bubbles. Is there a danger of
getting bubbles using Envirotex? If so, how do you prevent it?
Pass a heat source such as a hair dryer over it. All bubbles will dissappear. I
use a heat gun used for R/C Planes which helps push the Envirotex around as
well (especially when you have a major pier installed!).
Also, will be painting the sealed bottom of the river with blended
shades of color, from light to dark to simulate the bottom of the river.
Is it best to use gloss or flat paint to do this?
Doesn't matter as coating establishes the final finish. I used tube based
acrylics which dry flat. I also add a bit of coloring to the resin. Helps make
a 1/4" pour look a lot deeper.
Regards,
Dave Henk
Jacksonville, FL
Arthur Armstrong
Jim Cullen wrote:
>
> I covered the lake with scenery. Is there a danger of getting bubbles
> using Envirotex? If so, how do you prevent it?
I used envirotex a couple of times with no problems with bubbles. I did
not want to use any kind of torch in the house and you don't have to
unless things are really messed up. Mix the stuff very well - if it is
not fully mixed it will stay tacky on top for ever.
If (when) you get small bubbles, breathe on them. I read that it is the
carbon dioxide that eliminates them, not the heat. I don't know what
the chemistry is but breathing on them worked for me - breath out, not
in!!
I colored my envirotex with a little floquil paint as an experiment and
it worked fine.
Someone waid it was "self- settling" I learned that the high viscosity
can fool you. If you are pouring a lake or any quiet surface don't pour
a large batch until the edges meet the water level. The stuff will pile
up as you pour and then "settle" and rise above the water level. Pour a
little at a time. After the initial set you can pour some more. If you
don't wait until it is rock hard it will join well. You can even use
different colors at each level to get the depth effect.
Good luck -
Art Armstrong
aarm...@slonet.org
Walter Freedman
On Sun, 11 Jan 1998 16:12:51 -0500, Mark Reinen <n2...@planet.net>
wrote (see below):
Mark, how long do you have to hold a breath before exhaling - I
suppose the longer, the better to get the highest concentration of CO2
- but what is the minimum time? Considering that you are modelling in
N-Scale, would one have to hold a breath twice as long if doing an
HO-scale river?
<big grin>
>After you pour the envirotex and it has leveled out just breath over the
>surface. The cabon dioxide from your exhaled breath will draw the bubbles to
>the surface and they will evaporate.Works for me 100% of the time. Mark
>Reinen Nscale for 27 years.
>
Walt (remove anti-spam "xyz" when replying by e-mail - tx)
Da72jmk
Jim Cullen <jim.c...@lmco.com> wrote
>Is there a danger of getting bubbles
>using Envirotex? If so, how do you prevent it?
>
into your river bed. Hold the bag close to the scenery, so that it doesn't
fall a long way. I've used this method and have never gotten any bubbles.
John Keel
Jim Cullen
Really appreciate the good advice on using Envirotex, thanks guys. Should
be getting to it next week. Making a small dummy river on some scap plywood
to experiment with before trying the "real" river on the layout. Thanks
again. Jim
Andrew Marcus
> Also saw a modular layout with beautiful water running downhill in a creek
> setting. When I asked what he used he said Envirotex, and when I asked how he
> got it to run downhill, he said he held the module board at an angle for a
> couple of hours while it dried!
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Happy rails to you! ... Al Young, Redding CA
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
My club did that. We also were able to build a small rapid with the stuff,
using Plastic Wrap. We let the lower part of the river dry first before pouring
the upper part, with a dam at the rapids section. When the Envirotex is close to
drying, it becomes really thick. This is when I was able to, using a small piece
of wood, shape the Envirotex around the rapids in the shape I wanted without it
leveling out. I also solved the bubble problem by moving all the bubbles to the
rapid swith the piece of wood. We ended up with nice results.
Andrew Marcus
Choo, Choo!!
Jack Curry
HI. Can you suggest a place to buy Envirotex? I am having NO luck finding
it locally. (FT. Worth TX)
Thanks
Jack
Andrew Marcus <ama...@mediaone.net> wrote in article
<34BFE014...@mediaone.net>...
Robert Hill
In <34BFE014...@mediaone.net> Andrew Marcus
<ama...@mediaone.net> writes:
>
>
>
>> Also saw a modular layout with beautiful water running downhill in a
creek
>> setting. When I asked what he used he said Envirotex, and when I
asked how he
>> got it to run downhill, he said he held the module board at an angle
for a
>> couple of hours while it dried!
We use acrylic gloss gel to make rapids and waves. The stuff stays
where you put it, you can make all manner of waves as it comes in
several thicknesses. We use acrylic gloss medium painted over a colored
base for smooth water.
Bob
C. Rohn
Try any crafts store, such as Michaels or Franks. Or a home improvement store,
in the paint/varnish section (Menards has it), or a woodcrafters store. CR
In article
<99481A5C594101B1.9FAF136D...@library-proxy.airnews.
net>, "Jack Curry" <jcu...@airmail.net> wrote:
>HI. Can you suggest a place to buy Envirotex? I am having NO luck finding
>it locally. (FT. Worth TX)
>Thanks
>Jack
>
>Andrew Marcus <ama...@mediaone.net> wrote in article
><34BFE014...@mediaone.net>...
>>
>>
>> > Also saw a modular layout with beautiful water running downhill in a
>creek
>> > setting. When I asked what he used he said Envirotex, and when I asked
>how he
>> > got it to run downhill, he said he held the module board at an angle
>for a
>> > couple of hours while it dried!
>> >
Jack Curry
Thanks, but so far no luck at the "crafts" stores.
Jack
C. Rohn <cr...@pop.wwa.com> wrote in article
<69s2ev$76f$1...@hirame.wwa.com>...
Scott Perry
Jack, here are the main mfs of polyester casting resins...call or write
them and ask for a dealer near you.
Plyester Casting Resin
natcol
P. O. Box 229
Redlands, CA 92373
Castolite
Castolite Copr.
P. O. Box 391
Woodstock, IL 60098
Clear Cast
American handicrafts Company
3250 W. Seminary Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76133
Chemco Castin Resin
Cehmco
San leandro, CA 94577
Addresses courtesy of "How to build realistic model railroad scenery" by
Dave Frary Scenery God. Kalmbach book.
Go buy it!
Thanks for the bag tip...going to try it tommorrow.