TrainNut, how long have you had your "Realistic Water" body of water?.
Hmmm, well I dunno, lessee.
(Color disclaimer for the following pictures... Before I apply the "water" I mix in 1-2 drops of blue food coloring. After about a month or so, the brightness of the blue fades and I am left with just a hint of blue.)
- My sons 2'4 square layout - The little creek is now 3 years old. It has very little depth to it so to speak and if it has shrunk up after the initial couple of pours, it is not noticeable. It also seems to maintain it's original clarity.
- 3 panel coffee table - 4 years old. The lake originally took 10 to 15 pours (1/8" at a time) before I was happy with the depth. On that large a body of water, it does shrink up considerably, hence the numerous pours to get it to finally maintain a consistant depth. I think it is now about 4 years old, still clear but it has shrunk a little and could use another application.
- Same layout but a city park lake. The depth is minimal, shrinkage is considerable but not noticeable and clarity remains good.
- round table - 3 years old. This layout also had a small city park. Depth is mininal, shrinkage is not noticeable. Several years ago I put this table out in the sun during a garage sail. BIG mistake. The sun baked all the color right out of my little pond and it looked pretty pathetic. Obviously this is a picture after the resin had been freshly poured.
- Queen Ann style table - two ponds - 2 years old - both shrunk up but remained clear. No good pictures.
- My current layout - this layout has 3 places where I have used WS resin...
1. The mining creek is still clear although hard to tell as I have painted white froth and stuff on top in places. If it has shrunk, it does not matter.
2. The cow pond on the farm has shrunk considerably and needs another couple of pours probably. It still remains clear.
3. The canyon ranges from no depth to quite a bit of depth where I was trying to simulate swimming holes after floods. Here, for the first time, I experienced the resin bubbling. It occured several weeks after the initial pours and only seemed to occur around the real underwater rocks. It was very annoying but after poking it with an Xacto blade, it kind of went away. I also figure that you really won't see them after I add some details to the waters surface... like ripples.
So, in summary - the oldest water feature I have is going on 4 years old. No difference in clarity other than the dust that accumulates on it.
Shrinkage - yes, I would have to say that I have experienced that from minimal to extrememe depending on how deep the application and how fresh the pours are.
If you apply this stuff over glue that has not had a chance to completely dry, it will cloud the water.
what i have found to be the best "water" is "Magic Water" brand water:thumb: , it hasn't shrunk or clouded up yet:thumb: .
Magic Water eh? I'm gonna have to try some of that then.
Sorry, too much information I know. I got carried away.