Basing advice please

[Kublaibenzine]

I have always based using white glue, rail ballast and rail grass glued on top. Some of these are slowly wearing off (some are 50 years old...).

Can anyone provide ideas on how to seal this in without ruining the bases and colour?

Thanks!

[Citizen Sade]

How about watered down PVA applied using a syringe or pipette?

[Daeothar]

A good way is to make a mix of PVA, matt medium, water and isopropyl alcohol and use a dropper to completely cover each base.

The PVA will provide the required adhesion, the matt medium will counter the glue's shine, the alcohol will break surface tension, making sure the mix will penetrate and soak completely and the water is just to thin it all down.

Alternatively you can leave out the alcohol and apply it to the bases right before you add the mix. But adding it in beforehand is just more practical.

At any rate; this will create a rock hard surface and will seal in everything it covers.

I use this mix on all my tables and terrain pieces, as well as some (larger) bases, and it has never failed me

[Cubs]

I'd go with very slightly diluted wood glue as well, just slopped on around the grass clumps (it'll soak in to the lower bits of the grass to help stick it down), followed by a quick spray varnish when dry. Can't beat wood glue. Wood glue is my friend.

[Kublaibenzine]

Thanks folks! I will try these today.

[Dr. Zombie]

I would go with diluted wood glue as well.
But do be mindful that the water will reactivate the old glue, som everything will probably come loose until it has dried again.