Sealing Water

The Modge Podge actually is an acrylic "varnish" that doesn't need any protecting. No matter what you use, over time, the finish will dull slightly in places from dusting the water or from curious visitors touching to see if it really is wet. A fresh coat of Modge Podge will renew the surface whenever necessary.

I would not use a solvent based varnish over the acrylic Modge Podge. Yellowing often occurs over time with the solvent based varnish.

The boat itself resting on the surface will have no effect on the gloss coating, although "sinking" the boat into the surface slightly while wet and adding some ripples up against the hull makes for a more realistic scene.

Jim

Thanks for the input, I'll be sure to avoid using the varnish.  

I have used Johnson's Pride liquid floor wax to level out the surface Modge Podge without any negative effects. Pride dries clear.

Does it shrink or crack?  How thick did you put it on?

Lee,

Pride comes in squeeze bottle, so I just let it run out over the Modge Podge until it made a level surface. It takes days to dry, but it doesn't crack, and it doesn't yellow. Pride is especially effective making the appearance of water among reeds and bull rushes because it flows like water.

The viscosity of Modge Podge is too high, so it does not flow well among protruding plants and other scenery. Modge Podge can be thinned with water, but it still dries with cavities where there are plants protruding.

Modge Podge is just a type of acrylic gloss medium. There are other varieties of gloss medium (Liquitex, for one) that are thinner and will flow around objects without leaving gaps.

Many of the "waxes" or "floor sealers" are similar to gloss medium and work well. For larger projects, it is worth shopping around to see which is the most economical option.

You just have to be careful of using any of them in conditions of high humidity. Sometimes there can be a residual cloudiness that takes forever to disappear if ever.

Numerous thin layers are best. It is not really designed for pouring like the Envirotex resins.

Jim

If I knew pride came in a squeeze bottle I could've given up on hard work and integrity a long time ago!!

Good one jhz563! I had a thought that my comment would draw a comment or two. I really got lazy re typing Johnson's.

Whew.....  thanks Bobby, I thought my jokes got so bad nobody cared anymore!

John Z.