Fos Scale Bandit's Roost Build

[craftsmankits]

Here is the first resin pour, and it was a big one.  Over one hundred ounces of Envirotex Lite Resin.  The depth of the pour exceeded one inch in some areas.  I had never done a pour this big, and thankfully, there were zero leaks, but, there were some issues which I'll display in the upcoming pictures.  I used blue painters tape to seal the sides, placed formboard against the tape, and braced the sides with encyclopedias and various heavy books.  (The 3ML plastic 'dam' was placed between the painters tape and the foamboard.)

The water was tinted using Woodland Scenics water tint, roughly 3 parts Navy Blue, to 1 part Turquoise.

[craftsmankits]

All was well, until air pockets began to form in the center, and these pockets came from underneath, alongside the rocks I had placed in, and pushed the hydrocal up to them.  All the areas where I applied sculptamold held up, the problem came strictly from areas where I covered the plaster directly over the foamboard insulation.  I stood guard, and poked the air bubbles, used a hair dryer, all to no avail, the resin was setting up by the time I had to simply give up, and approach the problem after it had fully set.

The first picture is immediately after the pour, this area remained fairly problem free, the second shows the removal of the tape.  I expected the resin to push out towards the foamboard, instead, the resin fell inwards.  Cringe worthy I know, but a fix is soon coming.  Through all this, I remained calm, and placed my faith in the second pour, and the Envirotex Resin, and I would not be disappointed.

[craftsmankits]

As scary as Halloween, these are some pictures of the problem areas.  Some of the holes were as deep as a quarter inch or more.  In addition to the tape falling away from the walls.  I took a Dremel tool to some of the air bubbled areas.  While also cutting out, and trimming around some of the larger holes.  This is the first attempt at curing the many issues that erupted over the areas where the hydrocal was pushed against the rocks, rather than using sculptamold over the entire surface beforehand.

[craftsmankits]

This is the result of the second pour.  The Envirotex resin worked wonders.  I didn't have to overdo it with the repairs.  I simply took my spatula and held it over the problem areas, then used a toothpick to ensure the air was driven from the many holes, then poured the remainder over the entire surface.  It not only hid those mistakes, but it filled in along the sides where the tape had fallen inwards.  I used the same bracing methods as before, only this time, I taped the tape to the foamboard wall, ensuring it wouldn't fall into the diorama as it had the first time.

Where I used the Dremel tool, the rough white edges disappeared, and remained hidden.  I did remove some excess where the Dremel tool left a whitish appearance using an Exacto blade, but the majority of it was left as is, and to the credit of the resin, it hid the flaws. I used the same 3 to 1 mix of Woodland Scenics colors for the second pour.

You'll notice the corner was 'fixed' by keeping the tape taped to the foamboard.  Many lessons learned during this experience.  If you're using Envirotex Lite, along with tinting, it's pretty fool proof.  Not sure how it would be with Magic Water, but Magic Water does have a leaching problem, while the Envirotex doesn't leach nearly as much.  Don't panic if you make a mistake, there are always solutions.  (If you look closely at the last picture underneath the corner, you'll see some foamboard.  I did have a small leak, from a poor tape job around the corner.  Not a bad leak, but it did prove out my 3ML plastic drop 'bathtub'.  The resin didn't stick to the plastic drop.

[Mark Dalrymple]

Nice save, Mark.

the colouring of both the rocks and the tinted water is spot on.  It looks great.

Cheers, Mark.

[darrylhuffman]

So many people just use waves painted dark with a glossy finish.

I really like your treatment of water.

I hope to go over your build again the next time I am doing water.

I'm guilty of just doing dark, glossy waves.

[darrylhuffman]

I will definitely use Sculptamold under my next large water pour.

Your diorama looks great!!!

[EricQuebec]

Mark, Your seabed is darn pretty good.
excellent work I love it
Eric

[ReadingBob]

Wow!     That looks awesome Mark (and Darryl)!  Well worth the time and effort.

[vinceg]

Gorgeous diorama. Doug should have you do the pilot kits for his ads!

[Opa George]

Lovely water effects.  Very nice!  As one who simply uses Mod Podge over a painted surface, you have my respect.
--Opa George

[postalkarl]

This model is just gorgeous. Keep the great pics flowing. I just love the rock cliff with the water under it.

Karl

[craftsmankits]

So many people just use waves painted dark with a glossy finish.

I really like your treatment of water.

I hope to go over your build again the next time I am doing water.

I'm guilty of just doing dark, glossy waves.

Thank you Darryl.  I simply wanted to try something different, and have some actual depth.  Your water looks great to me.  What scale is the structure in your photo?

[craftsmankits]

Gorgeous diorama. Doug should have you do the pilot kits for his ads!

Hi Vince,  I'm sure many of us would love that task.  Not sure that I would do it fast enough.  I tend to take my time, but if Doug allowed me the honor, I would love to attempt building one of his fine kits.

Mark

[craftsmankits]

Thanks to Mark D. Bob, Eric, George and Karl.  Still plugging along on this one.  Next up is some Mod Podge Gloss, and possibly some Liquitex Gloss Heavy Gel for waves.  I'll have to experiment with the Liquitex product.  Never used it before.   Mark