Problems with static grass

modelfreaks wrote:

Hey everybody quick question. Whenever i am building a diorama i use static grass for the grass. I've read about using it in Sheperd Paine's ( I believe thats his name) diorama book. It says to spread white glue to stick it onto the base. However for me, when it dries, i can rub my finger around on the grass and it will come off in little amounts. Is this normal or am i doing something wrong with the glue? Thanks, Brandon

(You're not supposed to rub it around!!!)

Static grass--or any kind of grass powder--can be applied over WHite glue (ELmer's), ober paint, or over clear acrylic. It sticks to just about anything sticky.

After you put it down, make sure you let it dry well, and then like Hans said, spray over it with some clear flat, like Dullcoat.

Then, if you want even MORE depth to it, sprinkle more grass powder over THAT; this is usually how I do it. After it's done, turn your dio over, and tap the cack of it to shake loose whatever loose powder is left, and then you can shade it with an airbrush--putting different colors and shades of tan and greens in it makes it look a lot more realistic. Just one color alone usually doesn't look real.  

You've gotten some good advice above. I've also found that diluting the white glue with some water seems to work better. The surface tension of pure white glue really doesn't allow the static grass to get down into it. By adding a little water (anywhere between 70/30 glue to water to as thin as 50/50), you'll do two things. You'll reduce the surface tension and you'll increase capillary action. This will allow the glue to "flow" around the individual pieces of static grass and hold a bit better. Bear in mind, with the added water, the drying time will increase and I typically wait at least 12 hours before doing anything else with the surface.

Hope this helps...

Thanks for the tips with the glue. Combining all of these should work really well.