Pumice for terrain/bases

[Kengar]

I've been buying "Vallejo Pumice Stone Texture" from Neal at the War Store for a while. It works great and I have no complaints. Lately though, I've been making some "CD scenery": small bits of terrain that can be placed easily on the table. I've made some Hirst block ruins, rock piles, and a couple wooded discs of 2-3 trees each. I'm also planning on some small cottages -about 3" on a side- made from Hirst blocks and each based on a CD. This pumice stuff is GREAT for the ground cover, but basing terrain on a 5" CD as opposed to a mini on a 1" base with the stuff is going through the little margarine-sized tubs kind of fast. I've heard of buying dry pumice mix but never tried it. Does anyone know if it produces a similar result? The tubs are pumice mixed with an acrylic resin. Is the dry markedly cheaper than the paste (per ounce/whatever)? It's $9 for a 250ml tub. I assume shipping might be high on a large box of the powder if I had to order it online.

 

Here's a sample of the texture on a CD Ruin:

[Mclimbin]

That's a pretty sweet piece there Kengar.

 

I've not tried the dry pumice but I have heard from a cheapskate friend of mine that you can get the same kinds of pumice pastes, but larger containers for a cheaper price, in the fine arts section at Michael's. I have thought about checking it out but I have so much left that I won't need any for a loooong time.

 

The only difficulty will be figuring out which of the artist's pumice you will need. I guess you can open them up in the store and stick your fingers in the pot...

[Kengar]

Well, I was placing an order with Neal anyway, so I snagged another mini-tub. That should see me through the next several CDs as well as some minis. In the meantime, there's a Michael's not far from my FLGS, I may wander over and see if I can peek in some buckets.

 

(BTW, when placing a phone order for flocking during your lunch break, speak in a low tone of voice when requesting a "20 gram bag of grass." )

[mattmcl]

Dick Blick has a 128 ounce tub for $55. I don't know if it's the stuff you use though.

[Jackie-Paper]

I'm going to chime in here with something that may seem like a silly question. you are talking about putting this stuff on the ground to give it the texture that it has in that picture?

 

If so an I am understand then maybe take a look at these crappy pics. Most of them are just minis with bases that have a texture that looks a lot like the one in picture.

 

http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Iron-Soviet/minis/

 

I just use ready-mixed concrete patch. It comes in a tub from The Home Depot and is not too expensive. Also you can let some dry out just a tiny bit or get it more wet to change how it goes on. Easy to work with I think at least.

[fieldarchy]

Jackie,

 

Yes, pumice paste is used to create texture and it is often used on basing models. Looks like the stuff you have would work as well.

[Lawgiver]

nicely done.

[Evilbob]

I dig it Kengar.

 

One thing you can do is make a 'wet' mix using the fine model train ballast (whatever size you like) with artists 'modleing compound' (can be bought by fairly large buckets) or go cheep and mix it with white glue. the glue doesn't work quite as well but it works almost as good as the pre made stuff.

[Cerridwyn1st]

I picked up a tub of flocking paste from Vallejo at my LGS. I like the stuff a lot. I like to put skulls and other bits on my bases. It is far easier to stick a skull in flocking paste than it is to glue one down and try to flock around it. If I want bigger "bits" in my base, I just sprinkle some on after spreading the the paste. I don't use the stuff very fast, so I'm thinking of putting a small amount in an old Reaper PP bottle for easy access.

 

Keep in mind that Vallejo is an art supply company, so most of the mediums, gels, etc. they have can be bought as art supplies. You should be able to get more product for less cost. If you use a lot of the stuff that might be a better buy for you.

 

On the other hand, the product is packaged with small scale models in mind. A bottle of VMC Matte Medium is $3. That's a lot for a 17ml bottle, when you can get 100ml for about $7.50. You're paying for the convienience of having it pre-mixed for use in Model paints and packaged in a handy dropper bottle. You can get it at your LGS when you're there to play, rather than make a special trip to the Art Store just for one or two items. That, and you won't be playing Warlord at Michael's.

 

The same with the flocking paste. You could get a bigger container for cheaper at an art store. It just depends on your needs and spending preferences.

 

By the way, Kengar, that's a cool base. Reminds me I need to repair old CD terrain pieces and make some new ones.

[Sergeant_Crunch]

I've been using Liquitex textured resin lately. The line has a bunch of textures available. Works great, dries a little glossy though, but after you prime it that goes away.

[SaintRigger]

I use jars of the goldens pumice paste. It's usually used for roughing up canvases and the like - but works wonders for bases. I use it for my 15mm stuff.

It's about $15 for a 16 oz jar, which I think will last me years and years - and if you use the 40-50% off coupons at the craft store, it becomes even more affordable. I usually mix mine with black paint or ink - so I can apply it, let it dry and dry brush the texture.

 

http://www.dickblick.com/zz006/28p/

 

I usually use the course as this is pretty close to a nice sand texture. Extra Course seems a bit rocky - and fine is entirely too fine, but is good for walls and other textures - although for texturing walls, you can add pumice poweder right to paint. You can get bags of pumice powder at the hardware store for mixing in with paint to create a non-slip surface - or your own textured paint.

[dewen]

I've been buying "Vallejo Pumice Stone Texture" from Neal at the War Store for a while.

I do the same and love the stuff. To get more out of a container, I thin it a bit with water and add fine ballast (the train stuff). I have considered the concrete patching but I have been sticking with the pumice.

 

btw, the terrain looks great

[Mr.Wizard]

I've heard great things about the Golden and Liquitex pumice media. They come in fine, medium, and coarse. You can also get garnet gel/paste, which is kinda cool. All of these media are also archival.

[haldir]

How long does it take for the pumice to set up after you have smeared it onto your base?

 

 

RM

[Cerridwyn1st]

How long does it take for the pumice to set up after you have smeared it onto your base?

 

RM

 

The directions on the Vallejo stuff say about 30 minutes. I'd guess it would be the same for Golden. It would take longer if you spread the stuff thicker or cover a wider area.