eyedropper vs. sprayer

[tom mann]

The last diorama I made was the Z scale one a year ago.  I used a sprayer for a water/alcohol mixture to wet the ground covering and then another sprayer for the matte medium.  It was always a challenge not having either sprayer disrupt everything, and even more of a challenge keeping the matte medium sprayer clog free. 

So, I'm working on a new diorama now, and I decided to try eye droppers that I picked up from MicroMark:

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=27138

They work great.  Since I work in small sections (a few inches square), I can accurately reposition rocks and dirt and not re-wet everything.

[DKS]

I've never had a problem with the sprayer disrupting ballast or ground cover, because I use a sprayer that I chose specifically for the mist it produces. It was a long, trial-and-error process to find a decent sprayer--most of the trigger-style jobs squirt heavy droplets. I found a cheap pump hairspray that works really well: White Rain Classic Care (not sure if it's still made--I bought a few bottles to have as spares). They were a buck and change each, and well worth it for the really nice, fine, gentle mist they produce.

After misting on straight rubbing alcohol until fairly saturated, I use a small squeeze bottle to apply the thinned white glue. I don't recall where I got the bottles--maybe Michaels?--but they're just 1-ounce jobs with little red caps. It's just right for applying glue: a decent size so that I'm not constantly refilling an eyedropper, and a cap so I can leave unused glue in the bottle until I need it again.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I spray the water / alcohol mist, then use a dropper bottle myself.

The trick is to spray UP and let if fall down onto the surface instead of spraying at it. In most cases the only trouble I have it when I get erosion from the amount of water, or by being too enthusiastic with the dropper bottle.

[tom mann]

Another reason why I don't spray:  I don't want the spray to get on rock formations, on the floor, on the wall, on the...

[DKS]

That's one reason I prefer straight alcohol--it tends to not cause as many problems for scenery and such as a water mix. And with the light misting action of the sprayer, I can direct it at the area of interest and keep it pretty well confined to that area.

[John]

I use windex

[wm3798]

I prefer straight alcohol myself, too.  Although between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I'll sometimes add Tonic Water and a twist of lime...

But seriously, folks...
I usually apply my base coat of ground effects while the tinted Sculptamold is still wet... it usually tacks on pretty well.  Once that's all set, I go back and dress everything off for a reasonably finished look.  Then,  I take my big old Elmer's Glue bottle, mix up a 50/50 blend of water and 70% isopropyl alcohol, then add about an inch of white glue and/or matte medium (which ever is at my fingertips... I'm not picky) the use the orange flow cap on the glue bottle to control the drip.  On ballast and roads I'm more cautious with a slow drip, while the foliaged areas get more of a flood to make sure it all gets sealed on well.  Again, the base coat that's stuck to the original paint provides enough tooth to keep things from moving about too much.  While the flooded areas are still wet, I'll add a pinch of ground foam here and there touch up areas that might have washed out.

Before you go dropping a bunch of coin on a mail-order eyedropper, go down to your local pharmacy...  They have them in all shapes and sizes.  Now that you have a little one, I'm sure you have some bottles of infant Tylenol, or the Pink Stuff for ear infections... Once the kid's feeling better and the snake oil is gone, purloin the eyedropper from the bottle...  Recycle, Re-use, Re-fuse to spend any money if you don't have to...

Lee

[Ian MacMillan]

Tom screw buying eyedroppers......Try what I know you already have.  I use the baby "ear bulbs"....they work pretty damn slick. I use them all the time instead of spray bottles.

[chuck geiger]

You can buy the alcohol at Wal-Mart and just put a sprayer on the bottle. Was
working with it last night. My wife will start yelling "are you messing with those
chemicals again".