Super Trees question

[Zephyrus52246]

I've finally made some Super Trees.  Do you spray them with matte medium or any other clear fixative after they are done?


Jeff

[fsmcollector67]

Jeff,
It depends on how much of the ground cover, or foam that did not stick well. I generally give it an over spray of like 3m spray adhesive. If when you try to gently shake them, and lots comes off, than do spray them.
Loren...

[S&S RR]

Hi Jeff


I just use the matte Medium.  For trees I buy the concentrate and mix it 7:1 with water. Soak the trees in the matte medium then sprinkle on the leave material and then let them dry.  Just a suggestion - I would use a lot less leaves.  It may just be my personnel opinion but I think super trees look much better with less ground foam or foliage material. If you would like a reference take a look at my build thread. You want to be able to see through them a little to give the scene depth.  I must give credit to Wayne Olson for this.  I started making my super trees like the ones in the catalog and he told me they look like S**t. "You need to be able to see through a tree so that it has depth",  I remember him saying. We made a few per his suggestion and I have been making them that way sense.  Sorry, Jim I know you sell less leave material this way. Jim is the owner of Scenic Express for those wondering who Jim is.  Jeff let me know what you think.

[Zephyrus52246]

John, you're probably right.  The first group were a little "foliage heavy". I've made some more and they look a bit more open.  Loren, thanks for your input.  One of the trees fell down and a lot of the leaves fell off, so I've been giving them a spray of some matte fixative when I'm done with them.  I tried some of the Noch leaves as well (first pic).  They look good, too.  The second is some of the turf that came with the kit.  It was kinda clumpy, possibly as I bought this kit in 2005, I believe.     I think I like the Super Leaf material the best, but I'll probably use all three here and there.  The third pic is a "bush" made from leftover Super Tree Material.  The bush on the left is a Woodland Scenics foliage product.  Again, I think that both types of bushes look good and will use both for variety. 


Jeff

[Janbouli]

I remember reading somewhere to soak super trees in Glycerine, but don't know where anymore and what the mixture was etc. Does anyone here use this method or can help me ?

[fsmcollector67]

Janbouli,
If you search soaking supertress in glycerin, there are several articles that come up...

[Janbouli]

Thanks Loren , I thought it was someone here that had posted on this.

[rpdylan]

I tried the steam method for straightening out the tree and it worked pretty well. (saw it on youtube) you basically pass the tree over a kettle of water with the spout held open..... I never did do the glycerin soak, but did dip them in some watered down matte medium ( mod podge). 

[Janbouli]

I tried the steam method for straightening out the tree and it worked pretty well. (saw it on youtube) you basically pass the tree over a kettle of water with the spout held open..... I never did do the glycerin soak, but did dip them in some watered down matte medium ( mod podge).

Yes , saw that steam method on youtube too, so it works , might as well try that too then.  Thanks.

[fsmcollector67]

Janbouli,
The Glycerin as I would understand it, saturates the stem, and makes it more flexible. This down the road will not allow them to break as easy, as I have noticed they do dry out, and become rather brittle.

Loren...

[madharry]

Yes I have used glycerin on all my trees. It does give them longevity. My "Mill Falls" layout is 14 years old and the trees look as fresh as when they were first planted after attending 30+ exhibitions.
Mike

[madharry]

Oh and to keep the leaves on I suggest unscented hair spray..................

Mike 

[Janbouli]

Thanks Mike , what did you dilute the glycerine with and did you straighten them using the glycerine or another way?

[bparrish]

Gents......

I have weighed in on this conversation previously in other threads.

I find that hair spray is not enough when you have sleeves of operators brushing against stuff while switching and driving.

I use 3M #77 spray contact cement.  I hold my tree trunks (armatures) over a plastic five gallon bucket as the over spray stays very sticky and is a real nuisance.  I then dust ground foam over the trunk and then use repeated applications to fluff out the tree.

In time stuff still falls off but it looks like foliage on the ground so it's not a real problem.  Occasionally I scoop up the "fall out" and put it back in the can for future applications. Most of my trees are pushed into holes or have a small wire in the bottom so they are removable for dolling up as necessary.

see ya
Bob

[madharry]

Thanks Mike , what did you dilute the glycerine with and did you straighten them using the glycerine or another way?

I use full strength glycerine and then peg the trees on a washing line to make them straight. My trees are not in the way of operators so I did not have Bob's problem of operators brushing them.........

Mike