Franksville Wisconsin N-scale modutrak module buildout

[lashedup]

It looks like all of the pigment from the paint actually sank as it cured.  Is that what really happened Jamie or am I not seeing it correctly?

Because I poured it thick, the water material did a massive shrinkage. If you look at the before and after photos you can see how much it contracted. In turn, that took the paint with it. Thinner pours don't seem to shrink as much (actually Magic Water doesn't seem to shrink as much as other materials either).

So yeah, the whole thing sank quite a bit. On top of it, I can actually push it down further with my finger right now since it is still soft under the top harder layer.

-j

[DKS]

Just a thought... if you're doing the algae bloom as shown in the pics, with virtually 100% coverage on the water surface, why pour anything? Why not just use a smooth material, such as styrene, and apply paint to simulate the algae? Embed the stryene pieces in the scenery and apply terrain material over the edges, and you should be good to go.

[packers#1]

That house is absolutely fantastic, I'm really digging the patio and look forward to seeing the other items when they're installed

[wazzou]

Just a thought... if you're doing the algae bloom as shown in the pics, with virtually 100% coverage on the water surface, why pour anything? Why not just use a smooth material, such as styrene, and apply paint to simulate the algae? Embed the stryene pieces in the scenery and apply terrain material over the edges, and you should be good to go.

What DKS said.

[milw156]

Weyerhouser green for the algae? I had thought about trying to spray it from above after cutting a stencil the right shape. multiple passes of a very thinned down mixture.  Mind you, I have only thought about it, never tried it... Have you considered making the culvert see through? Looking good
Rick

[lashedup]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess the reason I was looking to get it into the magic water mix was to try and get that depth look to it. Most of the creeks around here that get algal bloom tend to look streaked like this:



You can still see down into the water in some parts and in other parts you see the algae at different levels. The other thing is that I wasn't going to have it affecting the whole creek or entire pond uniformly, so I was trying to get both the water in place and the algal bloom.

That's the fun part of this hobby is trying to figure out how to model something you wouldn't normally see modeled.

[Pomperaugrr]

I recall an article in Model Railroader, years ago, about simulating duck weed by placing drops of Floquil Pullman Green into just poured envirotex, using a toothpick.  The way the paint spread was very convincing.  That had to be at least 12 years ago.  I'm sorry that I do not recall the issue.

Eric

[Sokramiketes]

Yeah Skibbe mentioned the same thing to me thanks to a disaster on one of his original curve modules. Interestingly I haven't had that problem on my module using Magic Water. Mike used the Woodland Scenics stuff (which is what I used here). Plus I poured this half an inch thick which is usually way too thick. The shrinkage does odd things with the water that thick, plus it *still* isn't totally set up after two days - I can push my finger into it with decent pressure. This may be why the outgassing is forcing more bubbles? The bubbles couldn't form if the material was completely hardened. <shrug>

My plan right now is to pour a thin layer and let it completely set up. Then another thin layer that I'll add the green/yellow paint to and let that harden. Then I'll go over it with gloss medium as a final pass. I still have to occasionally go over my other creeks and such with gloss medium to keep them fresh looking.

-jamie

I think the problem with the outgassing bubbles is more that the one-part WS Realistic Water is flexible when it cures.  It's not a hard resin finish like two-part Envirotex or Magic Water.  The application on that original corner module is quite thin, and the outgassing caused all sorts of small bubbles to form as the material was stretched by the pressure like a rubber balloon.  The two-part resins will have enough rigidity to avoid that issue. 

The two-part resins can be applied thicker as well, and still cure, as you're not waiting for water to evaporate (also the cause for the shrinkage), just waiting for the chemical reaction.  You should be good with one pour with the Magic Water.

[packers#1]

I recall an article in Model Railroader, years ago, about simulating duck weed by placing drops of Floquil Pullman Green into just poured envirotex, using a toothpick.  The way the paint spread was very convincing.  That had to be at least 12 years ago.  I'm sorry that I do not recall the issue.

Eric

I remember that article too; I think it was more recent though, maybe 2010 or newer? My neighbor did give me some older MRs but I'm pretty sure it was by Cody in a Scenery step by step

[DKS]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess the reason I was looking to get it into the magic water mix was to try and get that depth look to it. Most of the creeks around here that get algal bloom tend to look streaked like this:



You can still see down into the water in some parts and in other parts you see the algae at different levels. The other thing is that I wasn't going to have it affecting the whole creek or entire pond uniformly, so I was trying to get both the water in place and the algal bloom.

That's the fun part of this hobby is trying to figure out how to model something you wouldn't normally see modeled.

You might be able to accomplish this by applying various paints to both sides of a sheet of clear plastic. Or, perhaps two sheets for additional depth.

[lashedup]

I'm feeling more experiments for the algae creek on the horizon.  I'm in Florida all next week so no new updates for a week or so.

Yesterday I did a quick video on the static grass application I did around the house. It was a good run-through first try as I now know I need to leave myself an outline and notes so I don't forget the dozen things I should have remembered to talk about.

Anyway, I won't be hand modeling or working in television any time soon!  :troll face:

/>

[lashedup]

Been busy at work lately but I've been poking away at the house. Got it mounted finally and installed some brass fencing I had laying around. Also started doing some landscaping work as well. Lots more to do...

[tappertrainman]

Your grass is looking great!  Does the Silflor grass seem to have a slight variation of color in the fibers?  I've noticed that the Woodland Scenics stuff is all exactly the same color, results in a weird "look" when it's applied.

James

[lashedup]

Your grass is looking great!  Does the Silflor grass seem to have a slight variation of color in the fibers?  I've noticed that the Woodland Scenics stuff is all exactly the same color, results in a weird "look" when it's applied.

James

Yes. Silflor has a lot more color variation, plus the colors just look more realistic. However we do sometimes mix in some Woodland Scenics to the Silflor to get a little more variation. In this case it is Silflor Late Summer. I'm going to add more layers outside of the house lawn areas leading into the trees around the property, so there will be more variation coming.

-jamie

[LIRR]

Nice scene, I love the fence