Question for Experienced Diorama Builders (1 Viewer)

[Harrytheheid]

Just a quick question for the experienced dio builders.
I've began constructing my first real diorama. It's LRDG/SAS Western Desert.
I'm using the type of "gravel" matting that's available to railway modelers as a base, to which I'll be adding some scrub, rocks, etc. Trouble is the "gravel" isn't fixed to the base matting very well and is getting everywhere and the Missus isn't too chuffed about it. I intend to tone down the colours anyway with a few washes of acrylic paint and blend the base in with the K&C Oasis Well. Will these paint washes tend to "fix" the gravel in place? Or is there some other solution to the problem?

Thanks
H

 

[Wraith]

H,

Not sure I fit in to the category of experienced dio builders, but you could try spraying over the gravel mat, once it's fixed in place, with a diluted PVA glue mix. This should help keep the gravel bits on the matting and Mrs H off the warpath. It dries clear and you could still overspray/ paint with acryllics to tone down / blend in.

Another easy and effective way is to spray Plasti-kote Stone Touch over your dio base. You can get it in a sand finish and although the gritty bits are far smaller than the gravel matting, it ready seals so you don't get any loose bits anywhere.

Simon

 

[Harrytheheid]

H,

Not sure I fit in to the category of experienced dio builders, but you could try spraying over the gravel mat, once it's fixed in place, with a diluted PVA glue mix. This should help keep the gravel bits on the matting and Mrs H off the warpath. It dries clear and you could still overspray/ paint with acryllics to tone down / blend in.

Another easy and effective way is to spray Plasti-kote Stone Touch over your dio base. You can get it in a sand finish and although the gritty bits are far smaller than the gravel matting, it ready seals so you don't get any loose bits anywhere.

Simon

Thanks for the response Simon. Not sure if I can obtain these products here in China though.
I was wondering if hair spray might work? Would add a nice smell to the dio as well...

Cheers
H

 

[Col.Pickle]

I've heard from many people that hair spray works great. Probaly depends on how big your gravel is though...

 

[kilted vampire]

I've heard from many people that hair spray works great. Probaly depends on how big your gravel is though...

Use the hair spray. Your problem with the grit coming off is that the water in the wash is loosening up the adhesive. Otherwise use a pva type glue mixed with water and a little dish detergent to hold down the gravel. I part glue three parts water. In your part of the world it may be hard to get the weathering chalks used by railroaders.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Use the hair spray. Your problem with the grit coming off is that the water in the wash is loosening up the adhesive. Otherwise use a pva type glue mixed with water and a little dish detergent to hold down the gravel. I part glue three parts water. In your part of the world it may be hard to get the weathering chalks used by railroaders.

Thanks for the advise KV.
I need to let everything dry out after applying the washes and some landscaping. Its freezing here at the moment so this'll probably take a couple of days. I'll definitely try the hairspray idea.....if I can persuade Missus H to go out and buy some for me.
Other than that, its looking quite good IMO. The washes have created a nice ripple effect on the gravel base and the rocks and landscaping really do resemble the Western Desert close to the Libyan border. I've added a couple of "palm trees" - they're not really accurate but they'll do until I can get my hands on proper modelling items. Like you say, weathering chalks (and just about anything else for this hobby) are difficult to obtain, but I can get my hands on acrylic paints no problem, so a few more washes, some dry-brushing and addition of a few small & scabby-looking bushes ought to suffice.

Cheers
H

 

[debrito]

Hello Harry,

Just MIX white glue with water and spray on.

Cheers

 

[lenswerks]

Harry you should be able to find acrylic matt medium at any artist store, hobby or craft shop. It is made for what you are doing. It will provide a much better bond than white glue or hair spray. I’ve used it in landscaping train layouts with sand, gravel and such for years. It dries clear leaving an attractive professional look that you want. Donnie

 

[Harrytheheid]

Harry you should be able to find acrylic matt medium at any artist store, hobby or craft shop. It is made for what you are doing. It will provide a much better bond than white glue or hair spray. I’ve used it in landscaping train layouts with sand, gravel and such for years. It dries clear leaving an attractive professional look that you want. Donnie

Thanks Donnie,
I did find a shop selling some Tamiya items last time I was in Dalian. Of course at the time I wasn't specifically looking for acrylic matt medium. I'll check it out again. If they don't have it I'll try the hairspray. If that doesn't work too good I'll try Debrito's suggestion (how was Brazil Debs..).
If all else fails, I'll just wait until I'm passing through Hong Kong again at the end of December. I'll surely get what I need there.

Cheers
H