Question about groundwork...

[Wendy]

Can Elmer's Wood Filler be used for the groundwork on a base? I happen to have some on hand and need to build up some ground on my base.

Thanks,
Wendy

 

[MattS]

Wendy,

I suppose it could, but what effct are you trying to achieve? Are you trying to build up areas of the base so you don't have a completely flat surface?

If you apply the filler too thick, it could crack as it dries. I usually build up my bases with styrofoam or a planting foam product called "Oasis" and then cover that with celluclay. This way, you don't get cracks by applying too thick of a layer of ground work. Make sense?

Matt

 

[Wendy]

Thanks Matt. Yeah, I do want to build one side of the base up a bit. I'll have to dig around for the styrofoam I have for that purpose. I was thinking of trying plaster of paris since I have that too. I just didn't want to slap either of them on and have the result be too soft or flimsy or something. I hesitate to use that much magic sculp as it is a 4 x 4" base.

Wendy

 

[Major_Goose]

Wendy since the base is relatively big so i think plaster will do the work fine. Just make the thickness of the mix not very flowing, so you get away from unwanted dirty spots and you will control it better. The it canbe carved or anything . As Matt said the wood filled after a certain thickness would definately crack and with time it might just get more cracked. Good luck

 

[Normo]

Hi Wendy
I use ordinary plaster of paris on most of my bases it sets quickly and takes all types of paint or any kind of ground cover IE Sand or soil etc and by using watered down pva glue takes static grass ok
I have a friend who uses Coving grout on his bases and get fantastic results!
I have also used ordinary wall plaster but if applied too thick will crack good for deserts etc!
My advice is to play around with various mediums until you find one that suits you
Have fun! and keep us posted
Cheers
John

 

[megroot]

Wendy,

Plaster of Paris work's well, even celluclay. If you use plaster i will advise you to put some elmers glue trough it.
If you do that the plaster won't crack. I made all my basework with plaster and do it this way. I do mix some earth dust from MIG trough the plaster. The plaster is then allready coloured in his ground color. Even a small crack can't be seen.
Good luck.

Marc

 

[Stonerdog]

Dear Wendy,

I have had sucess with Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty. It mixes very easily and once dry lives up to it's namesake. If you are building up areas with styrofoam that you are going to mount your figure on make sure to put a small piece of wood down first so the figure mounts solidly or make the mounting pin extra long and drill through the styro right into your base wood.

Best regards,
John Stonaker

 

[Wendy]

Thanks for all the responses. I've got the ground in place. I do have another question. Will spraying Dullcote work to fix a bunch of little (to scale) pine needles in place? Is there a better way?

Wendy

 

[Stonerdog]

Wendy,

I mixup the following: Elmers wood glue (Yellow, not the white), water and a drop of dish detergent. You can go 1 to 1 even 2(glue) to 1 just make sure the mixture isn't thick. Put this into a generic spray bottle and spray on the area where you want to put the pine needles. Sprinkle the needles, wait a min or two to let it set then blow off the excess. I would then seal this with dullcoat and proceed with painting weathering etc. Hope this helps!

Best Regards,
John Stonaker

 

[garyjd]

Wendy, I would think A & B putty or Magicsculpt would be better for groundwork. It's probably best to stay away from anythingthing that is subject to shrinkage.~Gary