What’s yer water preference?

[Dukewilliam]

Men,

I am looking for recommendations for realistic water for terrain features.

I currently have some ‘Realistic Water’ from Woodland Scenics and am not at all pleased with the results. It’s nothing against WS; I like their products. But this stuff just never seems to dry. I have ponds I made years ago that are still tacky. I can’t stack anything on them because it will stick to the water and I can still leave a fingerprint on the surface. Plus it discolors. I filled a fountain with it and now it’s all brownish.

So, what do yinz use? I want to make some rivers and streams.

Cheers,
Steve

[Blackwolf]

Hello Duke William,
I either use gloss varnish and paint a water effect between coats giving a perception of depth,or high gloss two part epoxy paint;  have a look at my Build Something Competition entry’s 

[SotF]

For most uses, I just use the high gloss polyeurethane that is normally available in the same places as craft paints. If I want it rippled, I add a bit of mod podge either stippled or blown over the surface.

[David H]

If you don't want a perfectly flat surface, Acrylic Gloss Gel Medium works well, and is excellent for modelling rougher water. Combine it with Mod Podge for a smoother finish.
Vallejo water effects also work well for small ponds.

[fred]

I use Vallejo water effects - mainly for small ‘puddles’ on bases. Which it works great for.

I have used a couple of times for larger ponds, and this works too, but if you put on too thick a layer it may not dry properly.

[snitcythedog]

Clear two part resin as I like to have some depth and landscaping showing under the surface.  Surface ripples done with two part epoxy resin and same for foam just with some shredded cotton balls mixed in. 

[tin shed gamer]

If it's of any interest.
I use old CD cases to make small ponds and Marshes ( I think I did a tutorial a while back.)
I was planning on doing some river sections using A4 or A3 snap frames( the sort you put posters in) Sometime over this winter.
It's béen a while since I've used this method.So I was planning on doing a practice piece before I gather up enough bits for the full build. Simply so I can be familiar enough to  knock up enough sections in an afternoon as I need.

As it only takes around twenty minutes to make a basic 30cm length ( a litte longer depending on the level of detailing you add)
I can fit in a WIP/ tutorial. Before next weekend.( if theres enough interest.)
Mark.

[BZ]

I just made small puddles, but UV-resin is very easy and quick to use.

[FifteensAway]

I've had good luck with gloss varnish - and you can tint various layers with a bit of acrylic paint to get varied effects.  I've even added bits of stuff inside the layers. 

You can get a view of one river I made - for someone else or it would not be so blue! - here: .  You may need to scroll down to see the river. 

Next go round doing such a project, I will find a way to retard the drying time of the paint so it smooths better.

[levied troop]

I can fit in a WIP/ tutorial. Before next weekend.( if theres enough interest.)
Mark.

Definitely interest here
I threw my last river sections out because they looked so bad and have been thinking about replacing them over winter.