hairspray trees

I have not tried it on scenery, but there is a Krylon product called Workable Fixatif spray for pencil and pastel drawings.  Acid-free and archival.

Tom: I believe 3M Corporation makes a spray glue that does a good job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdJ8NRuKV7g

John

Re using hairspray...if you insist!

• Look for 'Mega-hold', or some similar descriptors denoting extra holding ability.  These will maximize retaining flocking, foams, etc..  Read on, though.
• Be sure you get UNSCENTED hairspray!!  I'll say it again...used ONLY UNSCENTED hairspray!!  If you don't, you'll be sorry...and plan on having your layout smell like a salon for months and months thereafter...the only solution to which is complete elimination of all affected trees/shrubs, etc., and starting over!  And, believe me...while you may grow accustomed and accepting of the 'hair salon' ambience, your occasional guests/relatives/visitors will notice it in an instant.  And "Hair Salon" is NOT a popular smoke fluid scent, either.  (As if someone actually makes it,...or that would be your excuse!!!)
• If you have a humid environment for your layout, plan on having hairspray (even MEGA-hold versions) lose their 'grip' over time.  There isn't a commercial hairspray made that can survive a shower...get it?  Mega-hold versions are made to do the best they can for its users in humid environments, but water is the ultimate undoing of the stuff.  And that's good...for hairdo's at the end of the day/event/whatever.  But it's bad for keeping foliage on a tree armature over the longer haul.

FWIW...   And don't bother asking why I now offer these caveats.

I use spray adhesive on some goldenrod

If you have a Michaels nearby. Look for Mod Podge. They sell it in pump spray bottles. Available in different sheens from flat to gloss.  I buy the full strength container and mix my own in a sprayer. Seems similar to the Matt Medium Scenic Express sells.

Acquanet Extra Super Hold is the way to go.  It has been gluing hair in place since the 50s!  And much less expensive than the "glue" products.

Bob

Here's a good video from Joey Ricard using hair spray on scenery.

https://youtu.be/YKm9NgetJnI

Thank you for all the great suggestions!  I found some Krylon Matte Finish that's good for art work.  Haven't tried it yet, but if it doesn't work you have given me plenty of other options.  While at the hardware store, I saw that Elmer's has a spray that is photo safe.  That might work as well.

Again, thank all of you,

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

@Tom Stoltz posted:

I have some old Life-Like trees that I wanted to use on my Xmas layout, but the shed too much to use.  I know hairspray has been used to make tree and thought it might work to hold to flocking on.  Well, it didn’t do a very good job.  Maybe I used the wrong hairspray.

Does anyone have a suggestion for some sort of adhesive spray I could use?

Thanks in advance,

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

I use the hair spray from the Dollar (now $1.25) Store.

It is like the old fashioned spray that would make the early 1960's lady's hair stiff!

@dkdkrd posted:

Re using hairspray...if you insist!

• Look for 'Mega-hold', or some similar descriptors denoting extra holding ability.  These will maximize retaining flocking, foams, etc..  Read on, though.
• Be sure you get UNSCENTED hairspray!!  I'll say it again...used ONLY UNSCENTED hairspray!!  If you don't, you'll be sorry...and plan on having your layout smell like a salon for months and months thereafter...the only solution to which is complete elimination of all affected trees/shrubs, etc., and starting over!  And, believe me...while you may grow accustomed and accepting of the 'hair salon' ambience, your occasional guests/relatives/visitors will notice it in an instant.  And "Hair Salon" is NOT a popular smoke fluid scent, either.  (As if someone actually makes it,...or that would be your excuse!!!)
• If you have a humid environment for your layout, plan on having hairspray (even MEGA-hold versions) lose their 'grip' over time.  There isn't a commercial hairspray made that can survive a shower...get it?  Mega-hold versions are made to do the best they can for its users in humid environments, but water is the ultimate undoing of the stuff.  And that's good...for hairdo's at the end of the day/event/whatever.  But it's bad for keeping foliage on a tree armature over the longer haul.

FWIW...   And don't bother asking why I now offer these caveats.

OK, this is absolutely hilarious! It reads like it came straight out of one of Garrison Keillor's "Lake Wobegon" novels. Masterful humor!

On the work bench, a 3M product, Super 77, Multipurpose, (spray can), Adhesive.    Any aerosol (can), requires adequate ventilation. Safety meeting of the day.

The internet has several tutorials on making O-scale model trees.  Scenic Express a good start point.

Diluted white glue, works well for ground cover, needs to be a bit more tacky for this application.

Attached are some pictures of the many trees I made for a section of my layout. I have dipping the  base material in white glue which held at first and over time it doesn't hold your leaf material. I also tried hair sprays of several different manufacturers and found they did not hold that well. On the scene I have put on here, I used completely 3M spray adessive.  It is expensive to use and its very messy. But it holds the best by far and leaf materials don't shed after being on the layout for several years.  If you elect to try this, be sure and pick up some rubber gloves because this is sticky stuff abd best to not get it on you.