Model Railroading > Model Railroad "Water" Recommendation

Looking for a realistic-looking water to make a shallow river on my model railroad.  Unfortunately, Unreal Details' "Magic Water" is no longer available.  I used to use a two-part epoxy resin product by Rustoleum called "Super Glaze" which produced good results but was difficult to work with.  But that is also no longer available.  I have read many mixed reviews about Woodland Scenic's "Realistic Water."  Some of the problems I have read about it are that you have to pour it in super thin layers, and that it never fully cures.  Would be interested in knowing what people are using these days with good results.

One option used by Rob Spangler on his wp8thsub was gloss Modpodge sold in craft stores.

I put the Modpodge on a little too thick which is why here is some bubbles/cloudy in the 2nd photo.

I did have to paint a river bottom first and I used acrylics for that (3rd photo)

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/29/24 14:21 by SPDRGWfan.

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Magic Water is no more? Darn, that was really good stuff. I look forward to any other suggestions to be listed here.

Jeff Johnston
thesugarpineshop.bigcartel.com

I agree with SPDRGWfan; ModgePodge is my go to choice for small streams and rivers. I brush multiple layers straight on top of my scenery base. I start with the matte version and carefully sprinkle a tiny amount of very fine silver glitter over the first or second layer. I usually bush around 6 to 8 layers with the last couple being the gloss formula. Here in Colorado, each layer takes about 2 hours to dry. When I am satisfied with the appearance of depth, I dry-brush some cheap white craft paint over the ripples to give the effect of white water. 
 

Rick Bacon
Windsor, CO

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Jeff_Johnston Wrote:
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> Magic Water is no more? Darn, that was really good
> stuff. I look forward to any other suggestions to
> be listed here.
>
> Jeff Johnston
> thesugarpineshop.bigcartel.com

I read that the owner passed away a few years ago, and the business died as well.

Nice water Rick, well done.

You guys are amazing! I'll fly you in to do mine! LOL

At the Lewis County Model RR club in Chehalis WA. we just paint the bottom to look like what we want to see after dark in the center and lighter to the edges then use enviro tex found at craft stores and pour it in thin layers 1/8 inch and some times add a little color to the first pour, and it looks great on all of our rivers and log ponds, I might add our layout (17 x54 feet) is part of the Lewis County Museums exhibits.

Envirotex is what Eric Brooman uses.