I have been working on a good 'formula' for gluing ballast, scenery, etc. (2 parts water, 1 part Elmer's and 5-6 drops of dish soap) and it seems to be working fine. The challenge I am having is with it's application. I had hoped to use a spray bottle, but what is working fine for water and isopropyl alcohol isn't working at all for my glue medium. It's a thicker liquid, and I cannot seem to get a fine (or even close to fine) mist, it either comes out in a stream that rearranges the landscape or it doesn't come out at all. I've tried a few different bottles, same results with all. Any advice? Is it my formula or do I need to purchase a special purpose bottle (like from Woodland Scenics) or can I make an adjustment? Thanks, have a great day! Gregory
I use a small Ace Hardware Brand Spray Bottle. I also make sure that I clean it out after each use so the nozzle doesn't get clogged on my next use. The Ace small spray bottles are $1.89
I went to my local ACE Hardware and purchased some spray bottles. The ones in the link are sold as a 3 pack, but I was able to purchase single bottles at the store. Not sure how it will work with the thicker mix. Have you tried brushing your glue mix onto the base and then apply the scenery material? That is what I did when I did my Bluetop Hill. After the ground cover was dry I did spray it using a 4 parts water to 1 part Mate Medium. The purpose of the spray was to seal any loose ground cover as well as providing some sticky for areas that needed some touch up. I also used an eye dropper to pinpoint some areas. As for ballasting take a look at this video (wish I had made it) on ballasting. This is the technique that I plan to use. Without the spray bottle during the ballasting stage there is little rearrangement of the ballast. As noted in the video there will be some washouts. I've been doing some practice with this technique and it is as easy as it looks. There are many different ways to do things and what works for me may or may not work for you. Gary
the guys in my club all use a small squeeze bottle to saturate everything with the glue/water mix. it takes longer to dry but it works well and no issues with clogging.
I use a wash bottle, such as found in photo or chemistry labs, and just dribble the adhesive onto the wetted ballast. Boxcab E50
After the input and watching the video on ballasting, I think I will go with the syringe or eyedropper method instead. I did not that the spray bottle would require a lot of masking so it didn't get on stuff that I didn't plan for. Thanks a lot! Have a great day! Gregory
I was gonna tell you that but you beat me to it! Yeah, spraying on the wet water/alcohol is recommended but you need not spray the glue. In fact, you shouldn't. After all, the glue will dry up eventually and clog the nozzle, making the spray method useless. I use a pipette. You can also use the syringe or eyedropper of course, same concept. The glue should flow in order to adhere to the ballast (or other scenery material), spraying it, even thoroughly, won't ensure adequate coverage.
I use an empty elmers glue bottle. With the adjustable tip you can control the flow of glue/water you want, it doesn't clog, and when you're done you just screw the cap down and it will store for long periods of time. Which reminds me, I need to get to balasting again......... Brian
The real answer, don't spray the glue. Spray water only to wet the area and then use a squeeze bottle like they use for ketchup or beauty spplies, the plastic ones with the long spout, to dribble on the glue/water mixture. Spraying glue gums up the sprayer and put glue on everything, track, other scenery, buildings, trees, etc. Spraying water wets things but doen't leave a gluey residue. Applying glue with the squeeze bottle puts it exactly where you want it it and keeps it off the places you don't.
I use some small spray bottles from Wal-Mart 99cent each. Works great just have to thin down enough to go through the sprayer.
Picked up a syringe and a pipette. Pipette is great for wet water or alcohol, and after a quick adjustment (make it a touch bigger at the opening) to the syringe it works great with water/glue mix (2:1). I ballasted a bunch of track much faster than previously.
