what is the best fake water to use

I use the two part epoxy from Scenic express

welcome to the forum

here is a video by woodland scenics on modeling water

You might also take a look at Magic Water, also a 2 part resin product, but with no odor like other resins. 

Jerrman

Envirotex is very good.

I have no idea what the best is, but I can report on the stuff I just used.  I used Woodland Scenics EZwater.

Pros

• No Fumes
• Sets up fast, you dont have to wait for a long cure time.
• Easy to remove air bubbles and scratches with a heat gun.
• A wavy surface can be made with the heat gun.

Cons

• It's molten plastic/resin, whatever you pour it on better be heat resistant.
• You need a heat gun (not a hair dryer).
• It sets up fast
• The pan you melt it in is now dedicated to that purpose for life. (I bought my sauce pan at the dollar store.  Heated it up with a Coleman camping stove on table top propane can)

I used two bags on a 288 square inch area close to 1/4 inch thick.  I poured in two separate pours.  This created a cold joint in the middle of my pond that needed to be repaired with the heat gun (no a hair dryer will not work).  My only issue at this point is that it developed a few cracks, I am not sure why or how and this was at least a week after I poured.  The cracks were easily removed with the heat gun.  Also, I have my heat gun on high and with in an inch of the surface and I have not had any problems with discoloration or burning.

One more con of EZ Water - The EZ water left a yellow hue I could not get rid of.

I read about that before I used it.  Figuring I would use a green color scheme similar to our lakes out here, if it did yellow it would work just fine.  Somehow I got lucky and it came out clear.

I use acrylic gloss medium. It is very forgiving, looks great, and the water can be renewed if it starts looking tired in a few years.

Jeff C

Thanks for all the info

A couple of applications of Modge Podge Gloss (available at Walmart) appears to add a water like shine to a river. I often paint model RR brooks, streams and rivers a base mixture of Olive Drab and Brown with a light spray of blue (to reflect the sky) . Results have been good.

There is also a product from Noch that Scenic Express Markets it is called simulated lake and Pond film it is found on Page 145 of the Scenic Express Catalog #16 Available for download from

http://www.scenicexpress.com/Cat_Download.htm

This is What I am planning for the Christmas layout it should work great

Somewhere on the forum, I previously read that one of these products will scratch when you try to clean the dust off.  Anyone else remember this?

Clear casting resin and Mod Podge may scratch when you clean it.