A recent article in the current February issue of a lovely Merkava tank in the snow: “Snow-Covered Chariot of Fire” by the superbly-talented Federico Collada caught me eye as a beautifully-evocative scene issued with the skills of a master modeller–and all due respect and compliments are due him.
However, I was dismayed to read that the author used ground salt as a material for snow in his diorama, and he attached it using varnish and water. This is something that I would strongly advise against. In fact, with today’s myriad of snow-making materials from a variety of manufacturers, I would strongly recommend AGAINST using ANY chemically-active household ingredient; i.e., Salt, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, etc,…as a substitute for “cheap” snow–or, for that matter, to simulate dirt or rust.
Two decades ago, I had inadvertently and unknowingly ruined a dozen models by mixing baking soda–sodium bicarbonate–with Testor’s enamel paint to simulate rust on tank mufflers and spare tracks. In about two years’ time, all of the models thus finished starting to ooze an oily, staining gunk that was impossible to remove and looked horrible. I went on a Hobbit’s Quest to try to find out the source of this evil, and after finally contacting the chemical labs of Arm and Hammer, they came to the conclusion that the active ingredient in their baking soda had somehow reacted with, and was starting to break down the paint. Into the garbage went a dozen finished models.
Now, it’s pretty well-established that it’s a BIG no-no to use baking soda for snow; it yellows, it attracts bugs, and it’s chemically active. But so is salt. Especially when mixed with water. Who knows what gloss varnish will eventually do to it?
Guys, it’s just a better “safe bet” to swear off the cheap household products and use what’s made for the hobby. Woodland Scenics (among others) has a nice “snow”, and today’s pigments can’t be beat for making rust and dirt effects. Heck, even real dirt–if taken from somewhere where it’s been properly thrashed into inert dust, like the entrance to a construction site or parking lot–will make better dirt and grains than any kitchen products.
I hope that Mr Collada’s model doesn’t experience any salt-related ills, but you never know? Trust me–from my awful experience, you just don’t want to take that chance. [;)]
Couldn’t agree more. I have always preached to stay away from food-stuff as snow. It has ended in bad things for me in the past as well. I prefer Woodlands Scenics Snow myself.
Eons ago I mixed some baking powder with brown acrylic paint and slopped it on a tank model. It looked really nice and gritty-muddy for a while until it began to swell and burst open due to some kind of mold growing in it.
That was a popular rust technique back in the 80’s. I remember it well.
I like WS snow.
I learned the hard way not to use anything foodlike in models. I had a twenty car hopper train in N Scale that needed loads of sugar beets. On a whim I used anise seeds. They were cheap in bulk and took to diluted Elmers. But one night Willard and his buddies attacked the layout and busted up the train. Looked like the scene from Frank Zappa’s “Cheepness”.
karl, I saw that article, and immediately I thought of you and how horrified you would me. I recalled your advice to me back in 2008. I had just got back into the hobby and completed a dio that had been started before my break. I had used baking soda for snow and you warned me of the risks of it. I still have not got round to changing it yet, the whole thing got a bit damaged and needs a major over haul, but ui must get that cleaned up soon, and this was a god reminder.
GM, snow in Israel is not that uncommon, the whole region can get heavy snow in some years. And the Golan heights is often covered in snow. This was jan last year, which was a heavy snowfall for the region.
That’s more than me. I was surprised when I heard that it snows there at all. I think I first came across it when I saw pics of Israeli troops in snow uniforms on the Golan. But I didn’t realise places like Jerusalem got so much until I just looked.
this is timely as i have a 1/72 winter camouflaged JAGDTIGER and i intend to build a base for it. i picked up some WS snow last week.
i have used dried used coffee grounds and dried used tea leaves for bases, attached with white glue, as well as reptile terrarium sand and charcoal grill ash.
some of these stories are funny to read from the other side but when it happens to you, you learn a lesson quick! I hope more people see this post and get wise about it! [:)]
First of all, thanks to Doog for your kind words and for using my model as an example of such an interesting dilema. I’m a guy who enjoys a lot looking for new ways and alternatives for…ALL. So I’m glad to discuss these kind of things everytime I can.
About salt, what can I say…I have tried many things, salt is just one of them, I have used it as it comes, grinded to dust, mixed with pigments, with metal particles ( to add some shine ) etc. sometimes I got the results I expected and some others I failed completely. Up to now, one of the best and cheap ways I tried to make compact snow is mixing grinded salt with a lot of water and applying it to the terrain with a spoon as if I was pouring the soup, the water dries and the salt stays there.
Now about what occurs to the salt with time…I simply don’t know. You may think that I’m out of my brains but the thing is that I only enjoy making my models and once they’re finished I don’t give a damm for them, I simply don’t have room for the 10-20 models I make a year so I keep very few of them, most of the times I take the pictures ( for the articles ) and get rid of them. That’s why I don’t know what happens with salt. You Doog have spoken with authority, it’s clear that you know what you’re talking about so I must believe you 100%.
By the way, here is my latest work, finished a month ago, I took the picures and dismantled it, too big to keep.
Don’t judge me too hard, I’m a non-model-keeper…but I hope to be rich some time and then i promise I will keep all of them in a museum or somehting ha ha ha.
Thanks for your truly classy response and for understanding the sincere thought behind this thread. Some others may have taken it personally, but your reply was characteristic of the class which befits a true gentleman. I appreciate the dialogue with you, and others, on this vexing subject!
I have used many mediums for snow–celluclay with talcum powder, sawdust, and of course, Woodland Scenics’ snow, but also model car flocking. I agree about experimenting…within reasonable parameters, lol. As many here have related, “organic” means seem to be the boundary lines for the effect.
I have to admit that I was amazed to hear of the ephemeral status of your model subjects! Honestly, I was rather…horrified, lol! I have only started this year to sell models which I had built in the 1980s and 1990s which were stored in bookcases at my parent’s home! Completed models–if they indeed turn out as I intend–become like “children” to me,and I can barely stand to part with them. Thank god my fiancé understands theobsession to keep them–she has her shoes,after all. lol
Well then, if your Merkava is, it seems, only in a temporary snow cover, it sounds like you can wash it off before selling it and make it less potentially troublesome in the future, should the worst happen? That’s good news!
The new diorama you have posted there is nothing less than I would expect from you–superb, and masterfully executed! I will have nightmares about you letting that one go1 [:O][;)]
I use a wash of snow white acrylic water base very dry spray and build it up over time. The ground foam will give you the texturing desired. A guy can do a lot of scenery with the technique. Finish by blowing some matt white to seal the snow.
