Ballast troubles!!!

[rebel]

I started to add the matt and it beaded up badly, usually don't have to use wet water first so I tried that first next, still beaded (the wet water did). Finally a spot of matt soaked in and I found the stuff I added would wick to the already soaked area. Never had this problem before but then I have usually used straight ballast and with this mixture I added sieved decomposed rock and WS turf for that old buried look, was the rock dust the culprit?

[deemery]

Would relative humidity make a difference? Was it particularly wet or dry in San Fran today?

dave

[MASSIVERALPH]

Reb,

One thing i started doing was to soak the bed of ballast with 70% isopropol alcohol before adding my adhesive ( i use white glue) My ballasting troubles went away.

[erieman]

I started to add the matt and it beaded up badly, usually don't have to use wet water first so I tried that first next, still beaded (the wet water did). Finally a spot of matt soaked in and I found the stuff I added would wick to the already soaked area. Never had this problem before but then I have usually used straight ballast and with this mixture I added sieved decomposed rock and WS turf for that old buried look, was the rock dust the culprit?

Rebel,

I assume by your post that when you say matt, you mean matt medium. I am surprised that the wet water beaded up as well. has the ballast been really soaked with your wet water? That being said, here is what i use and it has been very successful. I assume that you are using real crushed rock, not the fake ballast waltnut shells. I find that stuff floats. The best and suprising the least expensive is the product from Arizona Rock & Mineral co. here in Arizona. The colors are consistent from lot to lot and the size of the stone is consistent as well. And No Dust!I have recently put down about 100 feet of ballast on my neighbors layout over a several day period with no problems. The blend from one area to the next application area is seamless.

After spreading the ballast, i spray a wet water mixture of mostly water and with about 20% of 70% isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol acts as a surfactant, allowing the water to spread / wick evenly within the ballast. Next i apply the glue which is a mixture of 40% White Elmers glue, 40% water and 20% Isopropyl alcohol, acting as a surfactant. Lastly, i spray the glued area with the water and isopropyl to insure that the adhesive spread nicely. I have not seen any beading.

The only thing that i can think of is that the matt medium might be old and the consistancy of the liquid not as smooth / liquid as it should be. Put some isopropyl in it and see what happens.

Frank / Erieman

[gnatshop]

Rebel, as much as it hurts, I have to agree with MassiveRalph on this one!

The 70% isopropol alcohol works much better than wetter water. Also works great on scenery, like putting on real dirt.
I use an old hair spray bottle to put on the alcohol, then either another hair spray bottle or an eye dropper to add either
thinned white Elmers glue or thinned matte medium.

Another option I like are the small school size white glue bottles - the twist cap lets you control the amount of flow and they
hold enough to do bigger areas. Not really good glue, but the bottles are neat. Actually, Ive thinned down the cheaper school
glue that come in them and got some decent results.

[rebel]

Hey, I like the walnut shells and have never had a problem before, but then I have never mixed in the decomposed rock before, and it was dusty because I ground it up and sieved it to make sure it was the right granular size. I was going for the alcohol next but luckily the problem worked it's way out. I have a feeling it was the dust!!!!!!!!!!! Now how do you know it is walnut shells and not sea shells?

[gnatshop]

I've never seen decomposed rock before.
How did you tell? - was it the smell or a decomposition ring around it?
Have you had an FBI analysis on it?

Not enough evidence here - I move for a random, isolated event here!

[DarkTerritory]

Got to throw in with MR too, I have always used Alcohol as a wetting agent and never have had an issue.

[MASSIVERALPH]

Got to throw in with MR too, I have always used Alcohol as a wetting agent and never have had an issue.

Nice to see I am getting my propers! I forget where I learned this, but I use the Woodland Scenics ballast(crushed walnut shells) and started using the alcohol. I carefully shape my ballast bed, then carefully dribble it on using a pipette. Then using another pipette, apply adhesive. I use both white glue and matt medium and have no issues. I stopped using wet water years ago for scenery apps and find the alcohol does a much better job.

[deemery]

Got to throw in with MR too, I have always used Alcohol as a wetting agent and never have had an issue.

Nice to see I am getting my propers! I forget where I learned this, but I use the Woodland Scenics ballast(crushed walnut shells) and started using the alcohol. I carefully shape my ballast bed, then carefully dribble it on using a pipette. Then using another pipette, apply adhesive. I use both white glue and matt medium and have no issues. I stopped using wet water years ago for scenery apps and find the alcohol does a much better job.

Does 'using alcohol' help you do a better job dribbling? I've heard excessive drinking has that effect on some people.

dave