small pond

Most recently I see folks using "Aquaglass" or have a piece of shower door glass cut which has the slight ripple effect. I am no expert on it, maybe someone with experience will eventually jump in.

For a small, shallow pond, paint the bottom onto something flat (masonite, foamcore, etc), then cover with several coats of glossy Mod Podge.  You can make ripples in the final coat of Mod Podge. 

For a deeper look, spray paint on the back of a piece of window glass and then paint the ripples on the top with the Mod Podge.

The shower glass is more appropriate for large expanses of water, IMO.

Out here in Northern California there is a company who makes precast in ground fiberglass pools.  When you go by there business you can see these pools laying propped up on their sides.

As I was finishing dinner one night before running off to teach at our local community college, I looked down at my healthy meal dish and noticed it was divided into the shape of three different size pools.  Now being a modeler, and one who looks for advantages when scratch building, I thought to myself this is an excellent source for pools.   Both for swimming pools and for free form kidney style cattle ponds or fishing holes.

So began an experiment in turning a simple microwave meal dish into a swimming pool / pond for my O scale layout.

First, wash the plastic dish with a good detergent, I prefer Dawn as I find it cuts most all grease and grime I have run across.  Then select the size and shape you wish to add to the layout. 

Using an Exacto knife cut out the desired shape and set it aside for a moment.

Choose the location on the layout you wish to add the pool/pond and trace the outline for the pool on the layout.  Cut out the hole for the pool and l make the cut a tad bit smaller to allow for maximum adherence when gluing in place.

Next, I spray the pool with an acrylic spray paint primer.  If I am going for a bright look I will use a white base, if I desire the deep dark bottom look I use a dark primer, black red or dark gray.  Surprisingly this will make a difference in how the top coat reflects light. I picked this trick up from custom auto painters, it is all in the prep work.

Next, I choose the color I want my pool to be and add a little Portland cement to the paint.  This gives it the texture look you see in plaster pools, it also looks ver realistic for river/pond bottoms where silt has settled.

Finally, spray with a dull coat or mod podge, a matte spray finish available and craft stores, to seal the paint and then add Woodland Scenic’s Water products.  You can add an style decoration at the bottom of the pool before adding the water, or even a swimmer.

Place the finished pool in the  layout cutout and use a hot glue gun to attach it.  The pool decking or cap stones can be of your choice.  If it is in the country, grasses, sand, rocks, boulders and dirt can be your edging.  Add your desired figures and you have a pool party.

This can also be used to start the small fishing pond, mountain lake or that water feature that may be hidden somewhere on the layout or a high elevation lake.  Let your imagination fill in the blanks.

Here is what I did, I just used masonite and painted it with two different shades of blue.  I, obviously, still have some work to do around the lake/pond to do.  I've thought about trying the modge podge on top of this to see what effect I could get.

i want one of those wooden walk bridges across the pond,  I thought about

this last night making it using one of those humped back rulers ( cant think of name)

and then cutting tongue depresers --- BUT there is one right there in the picture,

can not use a Calif store,  dont live out there, but still want one,  I am gonna

make a pond.

thanks-- 

TGP,

Keep an eye out for a Plasticville footbridge. It may be what you're looking for. It even comes with a pond base if you choose to use it.

Murky green base color (craft store acrylics) with acrylic gloss medium (Modge Podge) water:

Jim

TGP,

Here's that Plasticville footbridge. It can be separated from the base if you prefer. Repainting with flat finish acrylics and a little weathering does wonders for it also.

Jim

If you are looking for a pond structure, similar to the plasticville pond idea, be sure to go to your local pet store.  The habitat accesories for turtles and reptiles always include various size ponds with multiple finishes.  For that matter some of the aquarium decorations make neat accent pieces for the layout.

I have used a product called Sculptamold to form the outline of my pond or other water structure. It is basically a paper mache type product. The benefit of it is that you are not restricted to shape or size. Once you are sure that the material has solidified you can then pour in your "water". There are many products out there that can simulate water quite well. I use one called Envirotex. It is a resin that you mix together to cause the solution to gel. Both of these products can be found at local hobby or craft stores (JoAnn's/Michaels). I usually wait until I can get a 50% off coupon for the Envirotex since it can be pricey.

Rick

Oh I appreciate this , I had actually went out and got 1 cheap,

chick alfredo, in one of those black dishes: I still wont be throwing

that bowl away.

for small ponds its most  likely there are few ripples so I would be inclined not use modge podge in that situation, but something that gives a smoother look like Jim and Mike.

I use magic water...

This is on durham putty base painted with a small amount of tint in the magic water pour. Multiple thin pours.

Bill D

I'm playing around now with a cheap piece of thin drop ceiling 2'X4' ice plexiglass. It's very thin and slides right under the quiet brace. I painted the back side with different colors and when the overhead light hits it you would think the colors were moving when you walk by it. I have used the scenic types before. But I'm sorta liking this plexiglass look. It's definitely a cheap route to go.

Here ia a video we just loaded for a client, Sea Port Model Works.  Building Waterways by Dave Frary.

thanks for the suggestions.  I tried the mod podge and layered this 4 coats.  turned out pretty good.  have to find my camera...........  wife must have it!!  ill post up later!

Chris

This looks amazing!!!!!!!!

I have seen many post on the subject of creating water. Never any mention of Woodland Scenics product. I have had pretty good results using it.

Everything is done on top of the table.  A thin film of light-weight spackle to hide the plywood grain - then the murky green acrylic paint - then the acrylic gloss medium. The weeds make it appear that the water is at a lower level than the surrounding area.

Jim

Ken, 

Your pond is already glossy enough to reflect the bascule bridge crossing over it.  Why would add Mod Podge?

Joe