Ack! Celluclay behaved badly...

No matter how many times you read Cellu-clay is the right product to build a dio base with, don't forget there are many better alternatives.

Here's a great thorough discussion from this Forum that will give you insight into using that product better or what to consider using instead.

GROUNDWORK THREAD   <---click   (and feel free to leave a comment/ ask questions on that thread --the concerned parties will likely answer)

Thanks for that.

BTW INDY I updated the Road Warrior Interceptor thread to include new pics of it in the dio.

/forums/t/125922.aspx?PageIndex=2

I don't read the celluclay instructions, never have. I almost don't even put water in now, but almost entirely white school glue, only, plus the colouring.

Also, I took a tip from Manstein's Revenge; I glue some sprues around edges and all over the base, the form the celluclay over that. As it dries, it does not crack due to very low water content to begin with, and grips the sprues, thus does not lift off the edges.

I have used the white glue approach as well with better results that good old H2O.  Another technique I have used is roughing in terrain with Styrofoam and then covering that with Elmer's Wood Filler. Here is a link to a build I did using the styrofoam. It's about half way down the page.

/forums/t/128017.aspx?PageIndex=5

Cheers

Dave

Too much water in the mix.

Your wooden base was not sealed as well as you thought it was.

zokissima

I don't read the celluclay instructions, never have. I almost don't even put water in now, but almost entirely white school glue, only, plus the colouring.

Also, I took a tip from Manstein's Revenge; I glue some sprues around edges and all over the base, the form the celluclay over that. As it dries, it does not crack due to very low water content to begin with, and grips the sprues, thus does not lift off the edges.

That is a great idea, and it gives me something to use all that left over sprue for. Other than mixing paint I never know what to do with the sprue.

I use water based paints to colour the mix, about a tablespoon of white glue then I add enough water to bring the consistency up to about that of really thick cookie dough.  Don't follow the instructions ... it will yield soup.

This tutorial is for vehicle mud but it's the same mix as I use for groundwork.

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=2584

rb

Yeah, I've never had a problem with Celluclay either and, like the others above me, I use more glue than agua. One thing, in addition, is that I never use it in more than about a 1 /3" layer. Don't know if that has anything to do with my luck.

I've never read the directions but when I mix it I start out with a fair amount of the celluclay powder, then add in large amounts of white glue and acrylic gel medium (can also add acrylic paint) then just enough water to ease in the mixing process. Start with less water than you think, you can always add a bit more if need be. The amount of ballast or debris/sand whatever shouldn't matter with the mixture, you might fine you'll need a little bit more water but with the white glue- there's still plenty of "liquid" to allow for a usable mixture. Good luck! It's a pain to get it right but once you get a feel for it, it's pretty easy to work with and nothing quite gets the same textured results.