How to make snow out of baking soda

Hellcat man wrote:

I ended up using the baby powder and hairspray and it worked great. Thnaks for all the imput

Beware the warnings we have given about baby powder.  Don't be surprised to see it yellowing, with bite marks taken out, or oozing and sliding off the tank eventually.  Good luck.

Significantly absent in this discussion, both for his knowledge and opinion about model snow, and his usually very even demeanor, is...

The Doog

Is he playing guitar somewhere? Hope he's back soon.

My as a pretty veteran model railroader is that it's dangerous to experiment with "snow". There isn't much white in the world besides certain types of plastic that likes to stay white. It's a risk to spoil a good model with something that you cannot predict the appearance of, in five years.

We model RR guys also worry about ferrous content in scenic materials on account of little motors, but thats another story.

The old reliable standby is plaster of paris. Gypsum is pretty color fast. The problem is bonding it. Pools of molten plaster can be good, but never look fresh. Dusted on for the Photo is good.

Someone wrote an article in Model Railroader in the 60's about using aerosol shave cream- we all tried it, and had menthol smelling layouts.

But plaster of paris worked for me at 1:160. I'd try it dry on photos. And you can buy a 25 lb bag for about $ 10.

bondoman wrote:

Significantly absent in this discussion, both for his knowledge and opinion about model snow, and his usually very even demeanor, is... The Doog Is he playing guitar somewhere? Hope he's back soon.

I've reading this thread with interest. First, learning about snow. Second, the bantering about between you guys is funny.

Being primarily an aircraft modeler and having spent a great deal of my military career in SAC, aircraft and snow were a very common thing. So I want to include it in a diorama that I have been designing in the back of my mind for years. Thanks for the tips!

Back in the day, when we in the military communicated by message (known now as email) we abbreviated just about every word there was. It was really hard to write a letter to a friend or family member without using the shorthand. Today, kids use a similar shorthand with their text messaging. Though ours back in the day was easier to comprehend, at least for me.

Writting is an art. Its one thing to tell people about you, it's another to do it in the written form. I returned to college several years back, the younger students just didn't understand why written communication was important to them. The instructor tried and tried to explain it, but the thickheaded students just couldn't grasp it. One day I brought in an old survival kit from an ejection seat and said, "Your on a island and this is what will keep you alive". The students just looked at it. "What is it they asked?"  "You just proved that you will die". I replied. "Why's that" one girl asked. "Because you failed to understand the written information on the package". I went on to tell them that it is one thing to tell people about yourself, but until you can do it in written form will it be substancial. Words on paper last forever, a brief conversation passes from thought quickly.

JMHO

HeavyArty wrote:

Hellcat man wrote: I ended up using the baby powder and hairspray and it worked great. Thnaks for all the imput Beware the warnings we have given about baby powder.  Don't be surprised to see it yellowing, with bite marks taken out, or oozing and sliding off the tank eventually.  Good luck.

I picked up a bottle of Woodland Scenics Snow at my LHS (about $10) and the cement that was recommended to go with it (another $7). Now for the question; how do you sift the stuff on the model? Would you use something like a sifter used for flower and sugar in cooking?

gary

WS actually makes shakers, but a cheaper alternative I've used is I've got squat plastic tubs like for parmesan cheese that I punched a bunch of holes along the perimeter of the lid for an inch or two. Put the stuff in, hold it like a puck and shake. Then when you're done replace the lid with one that doesn't have holes!

Mine has paper punch holes because I use it for massive laydowns of ground foam, so you'll have to experiment. I've got a bag of snow somewhere, I'll test it.

My big flock-up (pun intended) was to use carraway seeds to model sugar beets in open gondola cars at 1/160. I mean I had a whole train ot the things and twas a thing of beauty. Rats got it, busted up the whole train, the scenery, then left droppings all over the layout. Thats why I'm not big on kitchen experimentation.

...how do you sift the stuff on the model?

The bottle of WS Snow that I purchased has a shaker lid, like a cheese shaker.  I simply shake it onto wherever I want the snow.  Any large-opening shaker or sifter should do though.

  Sadly the art of writing seems to be disappearing. I remember when i was at school, writing skills were such a big deal! All our assignments were hand written, and we took particular pride in our writing and how neat it looked. Now days, everything is done on computer. My mates kids have to do all their work on the computer. It really is a shame. I see the kids that come through work for work experience. Their writing is appalling, the spelling is wrong and the grammar is sometimes non existant, by my standards anyway. Our secretary leaves a lot to be desired too.

  Unfortuneately, this seems to be the way that it is. Blame it on school, modern technology and society, whatever is causing this 'problem', it is here to stay. Us older generations are just going to have to accept it. I just hope we, on these forums, don't become too critical of the writing skills of the young kids coming on here (and there seem to be quite a few). Lets not become too critical and scare them away from the art form of using there brain and being creative. I see that disappearing in a lot of young people too!

  I saw a young man who posted a question about snow once and his writing style was brought into question....... i could understand him well enough. At first i thought he had been scared away. I am glad he is still with us.

  Just for the record, for those that did make comments about Hellcats writing, i agree totally with you. I feel the same way, but we need to be tactful about our words. We have an oppurtunity here to help, both with modelling and life skills. HeavyArty did say we were all a family. That is good to know, and i myself enjoy coming here to these forums. Coming here is a highlight of my day. There are many good people here and they get my respect.

  Now, about that snow.......i use a product called SIMPLY SNOW. I think it may only be available here in Oz. It is very light and fluffy and looks fantastic. I did think of something that i wanted to get an opinion on (i am going to try it anyway....lol). What if you crushed up some glass (wearing eye protection of course) and mixed that in with the 'snow'? Would that give you that 'sparkling' effect that you get on a bright sunny day? Would love your thoughts....

  Boomer...

Boomerang wrote:

What if you crushed up some glass (wearing eye protection of course) and mixed that in with the 'snow'? Would that give you that 'sparkling' effect that you get on a bright sunny day? Would love your thoughts....   Boomer...

Seems that a tiny bit of silver glitter might to the trick without all the blood.

Steve 

SteveM wrote:

Boomerang wrote:   What if you crushed up some glass (wearing eye protection of course) and mixed that in with the 'snow'? Would that give you that 'sparkling' effect that you get on a bright sunny day? Would love your thoughts....   Boomer... Seems that a tiny bit of silver glitter might to the trick without all the blood. Steve

  Interesting suggestion Steve. Do you think the glitter may just look like, well, glitter? You don't see tiny bits of silver in the snow, it just seems to glint. Thats why i thought of glass, it would blend into the snow maybe. I remember reading somewhere about someone using a type of silica, which i suppose is glass really. Oh, if i get blood on it, i will just have to put wounded soldiers on that spot.......

  Boomer...

Boomerang wrote:

Sadly the art of writing seems to be disappearing. I remember when i was at school, writing skills were such a big deal! All our assignments were hand written, and we took particular pride in our writing and neat it looked. Now days, everything is done on computer. My mates kids have to do all their work on the computer. It really is a shame. I see the kids that come through work for work experience. Their writing is appalling,the spelling is wrong and the grammar is sometimes non existant, by my standards anyway. Our secretary leaves a lot to be desired too.   Unfortuneately, this seems to be the way that it is. Blame on school, modern technology and society, whatever is causing this 'problem', it is here to stay. Us older generations are just going to have to accept it. I just hope we, on these forums, don't become too critical of the writing skills of the young kids coming on here (and there seem to be quite a few). Lets not become too critical and scare them away from the art form of using there brain and being creative. I see that disappearing in a lot of young people too!   Now, about that snow.......i use a product called SIMPLY SNOW. I think it may only be available here in Oz. It is very light and fluffy and looks fantastic. I   Boomer...

Boomer 

Very true, regarding spelling and punctuation! To add to the mix, Kevin07 has promised a computer per student in Australian schools, plus a laptop rebate per student of $750 per annum. Better to see that funding go to more teachers and better education programmes personally!

Could you tell me about the "Simply Snow" product please? Who makes it and where can it be purchased? I would like to acquire a supply of snow making materials, but cannot decide what to empty my wallet on.

Cheers and thanks.

Mike 

Boomerang wrote:

SteveM wrote:  Boomerang wrote:   What if you crushed up some glass (wearing eye protection of course) and mixed that in with the 'snow'? Would that give you that 'sparkling' effect that you get on a bright sunny day? Would love your thoughts....   Boomer... Seems that a tiny bit of silver glitter might to the trick without all the blood. Steve    Interesting suggestion Steve. Do you think the glitter may just look like, well, glitter? You don't see tiny bits of silver in the snow, it just seems to glint. Thats why i thought of glass, it would blend into the snow maybe. I remember reading somewhere about someone using a type of silica, which i suppose is glass really. Oh, if i get blood on it, i will just have to put wounded soldiers on that spot.......   Boomer...

It's kind of an expensive additive, but the amount can be used alot before you'd run out. For a glitter effect on snow you could run down to an automotive paint store that carries Dupont products, their Hot Hues line specifically, and buy a container of crystal silver pearl. Then sift it over the surface of the snow as the final touch. I would imagine some of the metallic "flake" additives would do the same thing since its just larger pearl in a way. Just an idea.

Dale 

madmike wrote:

Boomerang wrote:   Sadly the art of writing seems to be disappearing. I remember when i was at school, writing skills were such a big deal! All our assignments were hand written, and we took particular pride in our writing and neat it looked. Now days, everything is done on computer. My mates kids have to do all their work on the computer. It really is a shame. I see the kids that come through work for work experience. Their writing is appalling,the spelling is wrong and the grammar is sometimes non existant, by my standards anyway. Our secretary leaves a lot to be desired too.   Unfortuneately, this seems to be the way that it is. Blame on school, modern technology and society, whatever is causing this 'problem', it is here to stay. Us older generations are just going to have to accept it. I just hope we, on these forums, don't become too critical of the writing skills of the young kids coming on here (and there seem to be quite a few). Lets not become too critical and scare them away from the art form of using there brain and being creative. I see that disappearing in a lot of young people too!   Now, about that snow.......i use a product called SIMPLY SNOW. I think it may only be available here in Oz. It is very light and fluffy and looks fantastic. I   Boomer... Boomer  Very true, regarding spelling and punctuation! To add to the mix, Kevin07 has promised a computer per student in Australian schools, plus a laptop rebate per student of $750 per annum. Better to see that funding go to more teachers and better education programmes personally! Could you tell me about the "Simply Snow" product please? Who makes it and where can it be purchased? I would like to acquire a supply of snow making materials, but cannot decide what to empty my wallet on. Cheers and thanks. Mike

  Mike.....  SIMPLY SNOW is a product that i picked up at the Queensland Model and Hobby Expo several years ago. I am making some enquirys as to where we might be able to get some. I could use some more too. If i am able to get some i will send you over a sample and you can see what it looks like so you can see if it worth spending your dollars on. I will keep you posted on what i find out....

  Boomer...

I just noticed this topic reviving itself again--SHEESH! Amazing how this mistaken idea of using Baking Soda/Powder is like a zombie that never stays down!

Arm-n-Hammer ought to put a disclaimer/warning on it's boxes:

             "DO NOT USE TO SIMULATE SNOW IN DIORAMAS!!!!"

      ...but of course they won't, cuz money rules the day!  

the doog wrote:

I just noticed this topic reviving itself again--SHEESH! Amazing how this mistaken idea of using Baking Soda/Powder is like a zombie that never stays down! Arm-n-Hammer ought to put a disclaimer/warning on it's boxes:              "DO NOT USE TO SIMULATE SNOW IN DIORAMAS!!!!"       ...but of course they won't, cuz money rules the day!

Boomerang wrote:

What if you crushed up some glass (wearing eye protection of course) and mixed that in with the 'snow'? Would that give you that 'sparkling' effect that you get on a bright sunny day? Would love your thoughts....   Boomer...

Boomer, crushed glass has historical uses as pigments/paint additives (16th century Venice for example, or fused with coablt to make the blue pigment smalt) it could give you the effect you want. I do not know if it is available as a pigment any longer but I belive that it is available commercially as an air abrasive, so you could buy some easily enough. You could also go to your local art store and look at the pigments available. I think that mica could also give you the sparkle you seek.

Boomerang wrote:

Mike.....  SIMPLY SNOW is a product that i picked up at the Queensland Model and Hobby Expo several years ago. I am making some enquirys as to where we might be able to get some. I could use some more too. If i am able to get some i will send you over a sample and you can see what it looks like so you can see if it worth spending your dollars on. I will keep you posted on what i find out....   Boomer...

Cheers mate, that would be great and much appreciated!

Mike 

The best place seems to be shops that specialize in Model Railroad stuff.  If that is not an option ask your LHS if they can order it.  Option three is ask your parents to order it on the internet. Option 4 is to press on with what you got!

here is a link to get you started...

 http://yellowpages.ca/search/si/1/Hobby/toronto