Blister pack scatter terrain - how to make it solid

[AndrewBeasley]

I’ve come across a piece of blister packing that I would love to use as generic scatter terrain but unlike most model covers this one is thin and will collapse with the lightest of movement.

Does anyone have ideas on how to make it more rigid?

The only solution so far i can come up with is to use a little of the gap filling spray foam and pack it with foam block off cuts as I do not want to mess around with plaster (mess being the key here).

[Skyven]

You could 'paint' the inside with a thick layer of acrylic texture paste - as used by artists - to get a more rigid result whilst keeping the whole thing lightweight.

[Connectamabob]

My suggestion would be similar to Skyven's, but using 2 part epoxy glue instead of acrylic. Get some 5 minute epoxy, mix it up, and swish it around the inside to form a hard shell.

[nic-e]

buy yourself some poundshop superglue, the kind that comes in little foil tubes.
Pour a few of them inside and leave to dry. that stuff dries into a solid block and doesn't shrink too much.

[zemjw]

I've never had much success with using blisters 

I have/had/will have again when the muse strikes, a long term project to build 6mm science fiction scenery from blister packs. I ended up treating the blister as a mold and filling it with plaster, but it wasn't great.

The problem I always run into with trying to layer something on the inside is that any pressure on the outside will cause it to crack, as getting something to stick reliably to the plastic is difficult (as you're finding).

I haven't tried it, and it would be messy, but maybe something like papier mache rather than expanded foam. This would completely fill the inside of the blister, which should make it more resistant to being leaned on. Maybe add lumps of polystyrene in the mix to use as a filler to keep the weight down (although that will depend on the size of the blister)

Curious to see what others suggest - and may try the texture gel idea myself, as I have a few tubs lying about the place

[john Hollyoak]

Interested to see what suggestions we get here. I have some thin plastic from a pack of poppadoms which would make an excellent shell for a sci-fi building but I can't work out how to make it sturdier.
John

[nic-e]

Interested to see what suggestions we get here. I have some thin plastic from a pack of poppadoms which would make an excellent shell for a sci-fi building but I can't work out how to make it sturdier.
John

I know exactly the packet you mean. Round with columns running up the sides?

[john Hollyoak]

Nic-e
Those are the ones. I'm not sure they would take the weight of what would be a hefty amount of plaster, even with some kind of void.
Sorry to have derailed the original thread slightly, hopefully it close enough to be of use.
John

[AndrewBeasley]

Well that gives me a few ideas to avoid the foam

I only wish I could remember what the pack came from as I could then try all the ideas and report back...

When done (a couple of weeks with the way the house move is going) I’ll post the result on http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=102951.0 and update this (assuming I remember).

[Codsticker]

I think the expanding foam idea is the best one actually. I have used to make terrain before and what I found is that once the can has been started it doesn't last very long. There is a 2 part epoxy expaning foam resin available such as this (I am sure you can get it cheaper).

[eilif]

I think the expanding foam idea is the best one actually.

I agree.  Easy to use, can be cut off it it over-expands, what's not to love?  Don't bother with foam off-cuts.
Just spray it slowly and let it expand before adding more.

[tangarex]

Never tend to use foam.
I suggest, like zemjw, use paper mash in such way: tear paper towels to stripes, and glue it inside blister with PVA-glue(never understand americans, is no one but uncle Elmer does not produce it?). You need plenty of layers. Don't spare the glue, let paper soak in it. Press in every new layer with fingers. When you have enough thickness - about 5-7mm, let it dry and you get nice paper shell with interesting texture.

[westwaller]

Could you paper mache it INSIDE so when it dries it would be more rigid, but you don't have to risk ruining the sleek outer shell?