White glue for ballast

 I use this on my layout. make it thin with water .If its to thick it will stay on top and turn white even with dish soap added. made that mistake. It does work good for me

I prefer Matt Medium, thinned with warm water to about the consistency of whole milk. First moisten the the are to be glued with the cheapest alcohol you can buy, then apply the the diluted Matte Medium. In my opinion, NOTHING works better. Our whole layout is done this way, i.e. ballast, cinders, and scenery ground cover.

That's what I've always used. Chicken grit for ballast held by white glue.

I have used Elmers glue for all my ballast using the same method that Hot Water covered. Very pleased with the results. The other thing I like is when I had to rip up the ballast on occasion, I applied water to loosen up the glue and it came up using a spatula.

-Ed

You can easily find Elmers in the gallon jugs on eBay. Prices are usually around $14/16, free shipping. When using, I dilute it with water 3:1. Before application, I apply rubbing alcohol/water mix (1:1) so the glue spreads more evenly and gets to the bottom layers of the ballast or scenery. I use small squeeze bottles for application. Inexpensive. Works like a charm. Hard as a rock when fully dry. 

always used elmers glue diluted ,chicken grit  or pigeon grit ,the way to go ,I always sift the grit to remove particles of dust ,hand held wire mesh sifter ,holes large enough to remove smaller dust particles ,used on my o and g gauge layout ,very inexpensive way to go ,good luck,happy ballasting/

rich b

Thanks guys,

l’ll be ordering Elmer’s  Glue All on Amazon. I’ ve always used Elmer’s glue for ballast work. I just wondered if the Elmer’s School Glue would work as well as regular Elmer’s glue.

i appreciate your help and suggestions.

Richard

my last post I did nt mean sifter ,but a hand held wire mesh strainer, they also sell them in plastic in various sizes sorry

rich b

Richard Gonzales posted:

Thanks guys,

l’ll be ordering Elmer’s  Glue All on Amazon. I’ ve always used Elmer’s glue for ballast work. I just wondered if the Elmer’s School Glue would work as well as regular Elmer’s glue.

i appreciate your help and suggestions.

Richard

Hi Richard,

Not 100% sure, BUT I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Elmer's Glue All and Elmer's School Glue aren't one in the same.

As has been said, Elmer's glue can be softened with water after it's dry.  This can be advantageous if you ever wanted to re-do an area.  Artist's matte and gloss mediums however, ARE permanent when dry.  No amount of wetting them down will soften them after they dry.  This can also be advantageous for scenery building, etc., just use your own judgement as to when and where you would want something permanent.

Paul. 

True.  Matte Medium is permanent.  I have two gondola cars that are now (unintentionally) permanently loaded with ballast.  No amount of soaking will get it to come out.

Dennis

I’ve had success softening dried matte medium with alcohol.

I use a mix of 50% white glue and 50% water with a few drops of liquid dish detergent. The ballast is laid perfectly with my Ballast King car. Then a squeeze bottle is used to dispense the mixed glue solution between the ties and along the sides.  Two applications are usually necessary to firm up the ballast and hold it in place.  Everything drys overnight and can be used the following day.

50/50 mix of white glue to water, with a couple drops of dishwasher detergent to "wet" the mixture and let it spread through the ballast evenly.

Works like a charm.

Mitch 

So, I have always misted with wet-water, rather than mixing the detergent into the glue mixture. I'm sure both techniques work, but I am wondering if anyone has ever done an "A/B" comparison between the two methods?

50/50 mix of white glue and wet water. Wet out laid ballast with wet water then dribble on mix. My ballast machine shown below.

Below that my  rolling work cart with jugs of wet water and pre-mix wet water/white glue on top. Been there 7+ years, think it still lives?

I have used Regular Elmer's glue and Elmer's School glue.  Both seam to work fine.  Ballast holds in place.  I spread ballast  on track, brush to get good look and shape, spray with isopropyl  alcohol water mix, dribble on water-glue mix ( with few drops of dish soap ) using a medicine dropper.

Steve

I've found that the empty Elmers glue squirt bottle makes an excellent applicator for the diluted water/glue mixture.

I fill a second one with 50% isopropyl alcohol which I apply to the ballast first to break the surface tension.

100% agree, 50 50 mid with water and spray or use a eye dropper. Comes out great