Clear Acrylic

Clear cube box? LOL! I know what you're talking about but I haven't a clue.

I've seen sunken tanks in water like that as well. I can't remember where I saw it though.

Moff

I saw a build in a recent edition of FSM of a U-Boat submerged completely in a block of water-tinted acrylic. For the life of me I can't find the photo, but it caught my eye. What type of acrylic do you think the builder used for the large amount of water he was simulating? I have both Vallejo Still Water and AMMO Wet Effects, but from my research, they are generally used for surface moisture and puddles - nothing as extreme as a whole cube/prism of scale water. Do you guys have any idea what the modeler may have used?

Your may be thinking of an entry from the 2015 IPMS National convention.    There was a small scale U-boat imbedded in some green-tinted clear cast resin.   It drew a lot of comments.

You may want to look at a product similar to these imbedding resins from Smooth-On

http://www.smooth-on.com/Encapsulation-and-/c1277/index.html

Note of caution.  Most casting resins are exothermic (means they generate heat) as they set.   A large volume of resin can generate enough heat to warp plastic (ask me how I know).    Work slowly in numerous thin lifts or pours.  Some resins also shrink as they set.  This appears like water surfaces uncharacteristically climbing the ships, pilings, or float-plane floats (ask me how I know).

You are correct. It was 3-4 months ago. I have it here somewhere. According to the article Marc Millis built it and that he layered clear resin tinted blue.

Also a similar thread is here.

Ok, thanks for the info! Special thanks to EdGrune for the product link. 

Do you think I could mix Vallejo paint into the resin, even though it heats?

Moff

Do you think I could mix Vallejo paint into the resin, even though it heats?

 

no

they sell tinting agents for resins

perhaps tamiya's clear green or blue may work

EdGrune

 

 they sell tinting agents for resins

 

Any particular brands you can think of? 

Making colored polyester resin castings is still a reasonably popular hobby.  I know I have seen resins and colors and molds at Michaels, and I assume Hobby Lobby carries that stuff too.  What resin are you intending to use? If polyester, you would know the colors would work fine. They may work with epoxy, but no guarantee.

Moff

 Any particular brands you can think of? 

 

Using the link to the Smooth-On site which I posted,  go to their FAQ page and enter TINT into the search function.

Wait,  I'll do it for you ...

http://www.smooth-on.com/faq_display.php?faq_id=1

EdGrune

 

 

Moff

 Any particular brands you can think of? 

 

 

 

 

Using the link to the Smooth-On site which I posted,  go to their FAQ page and enter TINT into the search function.

Wait,  I'll do it for you ...

http://www.smooth-on.com/faq_display.php?faq_id=1

 

Listen to our friend from Texas - he's right! DON'T just use any old thing, use the right product designed for it! www.specialtyresin.com  www.uscomposites.com  are two sites that I go to get very specific casting resins from. Smooth-on just sells the stuff they make, and it shrinks. The specialty resin doesn't just sell their stuff, they also make it!  And it doesn't shrink. You can get tints for projects that is DESIGNED for the resin itself, and won't cause problems when trying to mix with resin, and it's components. The problem is that there is an incompatablity factor involved when using two dissimilar products/chemical compositions. US composites sell many different types of resins, and compounds for industrial applications that can make your life much easier. It also has obscure things like polyester resins, and the matting for making your own fiberglass parts. Check both of them out - you'll be amazed at what you'll find!

~ Cobra Chris

Again, a warning that almost all catalyzed resins generate considerable heat when curing.  Keep layers thin, too thick a layer will soften and distort any styrene you are embedding.

Just to clarify, my hypothetical project would probably involve submerging a resin kit, if that makes a difference. 

www.specialtyresin.com  is the one that I use to get my silicone rubber mould making kits, and resin from. This is polyurethane resin, and it's pretty durable, and strong. It paints, sands, and glues easily. Only use resin with resin, and not polystyrene with it. It does create some heat, but not that hot. This won't distort the model, but it can create enough heat that it can make it hot enough that you can't touch it with your hand until it cures completely. It depends on how much resin you're planning to use! Just do it in thin layers, but be careful to measure perfectly so that as you do this you don't get soft spots, or discolouration from having too much hardener in the mix!

~ Cobra Chris

Cobra 427

www.specialtyresin.com  is the one that I use to get my silicone rubber mould making kits, and resin from. This is polyurethane resin, and it's pretty durable, and strong. It paints, sands, and glues easily. Only use resin with resin, and not polystyrene with it. It does create some heat, but not that hot. This won't distort the model, but it can create enough heat that it can make it hot enough that you can't touch it with your hand until it cures completely. It depends on how much resin you're planning to use! Just do it in thin layers, but be careful to measure perfectly so that as you do this you don't get soft spots, or discolouration from having too much hardener in the mix!

 

~ Cobra Chris

 

As for US Composites, it looks as though there are two different polyester resins available that would fit my needs: Silmar 41 and Silmar 249. However, polyester resin's fumes are considered carcinogenic, and it is finicky when it comes to curing.

I got a box of Easy Cast, which says clear epoxy casting resin.  Made by Environmental technology Inc.----www.eti-usa.com

They do make some tints for it, but have not played with it yet.  Got it at Hobby Lobby, was $26 for 16 oz, says ideal for small casts 6 oz or less.  Tint was $8 for 1 oz concentrate bottle.  HL didn't stock much in tints, so don't know what is actually available.

Might look them over.

goldhammer

I got a box of Easy Cast, which says clear epoxy casting resin.  Made by Environmental technology Inc.----www.eti-usa.com

 

They do make some tints for it, but have not played with it yet.  Got it at Hobby Lobby, was $26 for 16 oz, says ideal for small casts 6 oz or less.  Tint was $8 for 1 oz concentrate bottle.  HL didn't stock much in tints, so don't know what is actually available.

 

Might look them over.

 

OK. I forgot that this wasn't good for encapsulation. Try www.smooth-on.com This site DOES offer a resin made specifically for this. I just forgot about it. I hope that this will be the answer to your prayers.

~ Cobra Chris

I recall reading an article about a submerged Sherman with some kids swimming aroud it. I think it was set somewhere in the South Pacific. I believe the builder used a clear plexi box, and the turret stuck out thru a hole on the top. Then he used some type of water effect product for the surface water. It looked fantastic but I can't remember where I saw the article at.

Cobra 427

OK. I forgot that this wasn't good for encapsulation. Try www.smooth-on.com This site DOES offer a resin made specifically for this. I just forgot about it. I hope that this will be the answer to your prayers.

 

~ Cobra Chris

 

plasticjunkie

I recall reading an article about a submerged Sherman with some kids swimming aroud it. I think it was set somewhere in the South Pacific. I believe the builder used a clear plexi box, and the turret stuck out thru a hole on the top. Then he used some type of water effect product for the surface water. It looked fantastic but I can't remember where I saw the article at.

 

Wasn't that in one of the Readers Gallery in FSM sometime in the last year and a half or so?  I remember a half sunk Sherman as well........

goldhammer

Wasn't that in one of the Readers Gallery in FSM sometime in the last year and a half or so?  I remember a half sunk Sherman as well........

 

Here is an article about the diorama

http://www.helmo.gr/index.php?option=com_deeppockets&task=catContShow&cat=14&id=1559&Itemid=35

Thanks Tojo. That's the one!

It's just breathtaking, the skill involved in that build...