Let it snow...

[daredevil]

I have seen a number figures with beautiful bases covered with 'snow' around these pages. I have a figure I would like to insert in such an environment when it's finished--what do you use for this snow? I know Andrea makes one--or is it Verlinden?
I also saw a figure here that had some snow that actually looked wet & slushy--I really liked that effect. Is it done with the snow stuff & some gloss varnish or medium?
--linda

 

[amherbert]

Hi

I've used several types of snow:

You can get stuff called 'microballoons' for snow. They are a fine powder that looks like powder snow. The stuff gets everywhere easily. You apply glue to the groundwork, then the microballoons, then clean up. That stuff will wreck your lungs, so you should wear a mask.

I've used baking soda. Works great, cheap, and non-toxic. I haven't had any yellowing yet.

I've used Hudson and Allen slush. It worked well. It's some kind of particles you mix with white glue/water to make a slurry. This is slopped where you want, and can be shaped as it dries. I found it too sparkly for slush, but some matt coats toned it down nicely. Looks like corn snow, or wet dirty granular when done.

Woodland Scenics and Andrea have 'snow', but I haven't used either yet.

Man, what a typical Canadian. I've made a disproportionate number of winter scenes, and I distinguish among types of snow...

Cheers
Andy

 

[Guy]

I use several methods Linda. I have a product that I got at Michaels that is in a small cannister that I either use a brush or a small flat tool to apply. I also have used the snow by Hudson & Allen that I got from Michigan Toy Soldiers.

 

[Lou Masses]

Guy-what stuff from Michaels? WHile my wife is there four 6 hours at a time I though I've caught everything in that place.

 

[Roc]

Hello Linda, I use Sweet and Low, the stuff you use to sweeten your coffee.

I paint the area where I want the snow to be with an off white,I shade and weather the ends with some of the earth colors.
When dry I brush on Liquitex acrylic medium and sprinke Sweet and Low on top.


Cheers

Roc.

 

[Guy]

Originally posted by Lou Masses@Dec 17 2004, 08:43 PM
Guy-what stuff from Michaels? WHile my wife is there four 6 hours at a time I though I've caught everything in that place.

It is called DecoArt Snow-Tex
comes in a small twist oof lid jar/container and you can use a brush, palette knife or sponge to apply. Can be thinned and worked with water and can be tinted with acrylics. Hope this helps Lou

 

[y_wong]

Dear Linda,

You may want to try pounding a discarded fluorescent tube into powder (it doesn't cut). It has the crystal look and depending on how much pounding you do, you can control the size of the grain. It will also not turn yellow as it ages. As to fixing them in place, what I did was to dilute some wood glue with water and using a dropper, carefully dispense the diluted glue onto the glass powder.

Attached is a pic of my snow.

regards

 

[Lou Masses]

Thanks Guy, will go check it out.

Roc-Sweet and Low???!! No rats or ants come looking?

Wong - Isn't flourescent gas (?) toxic?

I guess we all use what works best for us. I'm waiting for someone to post that they use pure Columbian gold :lol:

 

[y_wong]

Dear Lou,

The fluorescent lamp has a little ( a small speck) of mercury in it, so avoid the mercury and use just the glass tubing. As for the gas, it is filled with argon which is an inert gas.

regards

 

[Roc]

Hi Lou, it doesen't seem to attract bugs, I've been using it for years,never had a problem.



Cheers.

Roc

 

[Bluesking]

I like the Hudson and Allen Snow and Slush but have successfully used Icing Sugar although it is not a permanent finish.

 

[Lou Masses]

Thanks guys.

Wong, I was always told if you drop a flourescent bulb turn away from it, but I guess that was one of those old wives tales.

Roc, I bet if you pressed down on the snow on your bases, you'd find that the ants ate through it and left the top for you to look at ! :lol: :lol:

 

[amherbert]

Hey Lou

Well if you drop it, it will a) explode into lots of little pieces sending little particles of glass at you, and b) those could hurt your eyes. The gas is not the problem, but you should still turn your head!

I can't see myself grinding one up, but it's nice to see all these snowy options!

Andy

 

[daredevil]

Thanks for all the tips--but don't stop writing about this topic--I'm sure there are a gazillion other methods...
As for Hudson & Allen it appears they are defunct--what a bummer! Aside from the snow, they had a ploethora of scenic effects! And just when I was getting back into modeling! I would imagine there were hundreds of modelers that used their stuff as I heard them mentioned a lot around the internet--wonder why they quit? Any ideas?
--linda

 

[yeo_64]

Linda,I've tried both the Hudson and Allen Snow,and Micro-balloons (both secured with white glue) for my figure vignettes and I find that the latter is more permanent in its ability to withstand handling. The Micro-balloons also look more like fine snow-fall. Just my 2 cents worth. Cheers !
Kenneth.

 

[Evan August]

There is a product called "snow coat" used by some armor modelers for dioramas. Here is some information on their website: http://www.smallshopeu.com/SNOW-COAT%20Page.htm
I have not used this stuff, but it looks pretty good. It is also available from www.ww2modelmaker.com.

 

[Dan Morton]

OK - now I'm curious! What the heck are "micro balloons" and where would one buy them in Omaha, Nebraska?

I've used the Andrea snow product and thought it was pretty good, but expensive. It's mixed with white glue and water and glopped on.

I'm trying to get some info now on a plumbers product that might work and be very cheap. Will post it if it works out.

Also tried the powdered sugar, but couldn't get that to look right. It would be OK if you were trying to portray very powdery snow, but making footprints in it didn't work - it stuck together caked onto the figure's boots.

All the best,
Dan

 

[yeo_64]

Dan,check out your local aero-modelling shop(the one that deals with those remote-controlled plane kits);"Micro-balloons" are used by such modellers as filler for when they make their own aircraft fuselage,wings,etc. It's basically borosilicate powder(powdered glass) and weigh almost nothing,hence its suitability for flying aircraft models.However,being powdered glass in nature,it's hazardous to health if inhaled in quantities.So,remember to mask-up if you intend to use it for your projects. HTH. Cheers !
Kenneth :lol:

 

[daredevil]

Some great ideas out there--and I just found one more! I was in a model RR shop in my neighborhood yesterday buying some dio supplies & found some 'snow' effect material from Arizona Rock & Mineral Co. made from marble dust. The package tag claimed that it "catches light & glistens like real snow". It is nice & white. It does say to just dust in on, though. It was cheap ($4.65 for 9 oz.) so I bought a packet to play with this week to see what I can make it do, then post the results here.
--linda