If not Baking soda, What do I use for snow?

Modeling Subjects Dioramas
1

I’m planning on adding some snow to my Strv.122 (leo 2a6) and I’ve picked up here and there on this forum that I’m not supposed to use baking soda and whiteglue to replicate snow but why not exactly? if I coat it in some form of lacquer, will it still yellow? Thanks in advance for anyhelp guys.

Chris,

2

Hi!
I thnk you’ll find most of the guys here use the Wooland Senics snow, around $8 for a big can at most hobby shops W/ a RR section. Some people also use joint compound or spackle to make drifts or deep snow. Food products in general tend to not only yellow but also act as a food source for various insects.
-----------------------Kevin

3

I used the woodlands scenics the container should last a LOOOONG time.

here is an example of my M10 tank destroyer in 1/48

4

Here’s the Woodland Scenics snow over potting foam.

…or you might try unscented talcum powder…

whatever you do…do not use baking soda! [xx(]

5

Adding to this, what is the best way to make a patch of snow on, for example, a grassy field? Something similar that you might see in the early spring, just a few patches here and there.

6

woodland scenics has a thinned glue that can be sprayed on, or you could use a brush or even regular elmers just apply the glue in the spot for the snow and sprinkle away. you can add the rest later or just add glue carefully before the snow

7

The reason not to use baking soda is because it absorbs moisture, so over time it goes clumpy and ruins the effect on your dio. It does NOT attract insects- nothing will eat it. You can actually sprinkle it in your kitchen to repel cockroaches.

Another alternative for snow is alum powder ( available at pharmacies)

8

Thanks guys, for all the help. I think I’ll try the woodland scenics stuff first.

Chris,

9

Hi Chris,

I would also like to recommend the snow product by HUDSON ALLEN STUDIO. I find it to be very fine in texture and very easy to use. They don’t have a web site but you can reach them @ Hudson & Allen Studio P.O. Box 1905 Monroe, MI 48161 Phone: 313-457-2171 Fax: 313-457-2179 **…**or try different hobby outlets online. This is one that I found -http://www.treefrogtreasures.com Many places carry their products.

I used their snow on this old build and I apologize for the photo quality. I was still learning the photography.

The matrial is fine enough to blow onto a surface prepped with white glue or some other sticky stuff. It can also be easily sprinkled onto the tracks between the grousres as I did in this display.

10

I tried plaster of paris in this diorama:

And I think baby powder on this one:

So far no discoloration on any of them has developed.

Maybe next time I’ll try baking soda…

Just kidding…

11

Dwight I just wanted to say that those are some AWESOME diorama’s!

You should post them in a separate post and take your bows for them! The one with the Sherman is just filled with tension and expectation!

Nice job, al, on the Nashorn as well, but make sure that when you position a heavy vehicle like this in snow, that you sink it into the base a bit more to show it’s weight. Your model looks like it’s sitting a bt high on your ground there. Nicely rendered, however!

12

Thanks Doog but these are not new dioramas and these have been posted here before.

13

OOOPS! You must’ve posted them while I was overseas! They are great!

14

Yeah, I hear you. Could it be very frozen ground? Rock hard frozen ground of a wind swept plain with a shallow snow cover-I’ve seen photos that that look like this so, I reject your reality and replace it with my own.

It’s a very old diorama and I’ve learned some things since then, and now that I’ve learned them, I’ve got no room for anymore dioramas!

Thanks

15

uh…wow, AL, “reject your reality and replace it with my own”?

Sorry if I struck a nerve or something, I was only trying to send a helpful suggestion?! [sigh]

16

To Karl the DOOG, Steve and to the members of this FORUM :

In a momemnt of weakness I responded to a critique that was made of my work in an entirely inapproporiate, intolerable, unacceptable and ill spirited manner which betrayed the goodwill and spirit of the hobby,the FORUM and even my own closing salutation of “HAVE FUN AND HAPPY MODELLING.”

I have no good excuse for my behavior but I promise you that it will not be repeated.

I have already appologized to the DOOG directly but I want to apologize to the members here for exhibiting such a bad example of the spirit of the hobby.

I am truly sorry,

Sincerely,

Al

17

AL, all’s well that ends well, I guess. And no one is happpier about that than I–it takes a big man to apologize publically, and I respect you for that. No hard feelings, all’s forgotten, and on with the show! [:D]