STATIC GRASS APPLICATOR

[robert3985]

I see you mention diluted matte medium, not diluted Elmers as mentioned by some.  Any embellishments on this?

Elmers has a gloss, whereas matte medium doesn't.  However, some matte medium deteriorates over time and will leave funky white crusties when it dries, so I am careful to test mine before doing critical work.

Static grass fibers have a glossy surface, which I don't find objectionable as real grass also is fairly reflective, but glossy ground is too much for me, so I use matte medium (Liquitex) to eliminate it.

If you object to the glossy surface of your static grass fibers, Dullcote will tame it quickly.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[narrowminded]

Got it.   Thanks.

[GRUSS444]

Thanks for all the replies! Bought one of the cheaper Grasstech units.Been experimenting good coating of glue and a slight misting of water seems to really help.The grasses standing up is great look.The funnel nozzle might be a great added feature.

[narrowminded]

Got that Static Grass unit.  It totally works and it's even decently made.  Right size, right options, all decently made and decently packaged.  I'm a little finicky about rating things but not against using something that works even if it's a little bit less than top shelf. 

It's that attitude that looks at this and gives it an 8 out of 10 regardless of price.  It's nicely done, very acceptable.  That is mostly based on my very discriminating attitude when it comes to tools.  When considering the price it gets a 9.5 out of ten.  NOTHING gets a 10 out of 10.   I can totally recommend it and especially for the use it will see.  I'm happy.

When getting this link I see the price went up to $50 with free shipping.  When I ordered it was $45 with free shipping.  Still worth it, I think.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/262783511389

[cbroughton67]

Has anyone done a comparison between the eBay applicator ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/262783511389) and the Grass Tech applicator from Micro-Mark (https://www.micromark.com/Economy-Static-Grass-Applicator-by-Grass-Tech-USA)? I have the Grass Tech applicator, and it seems to do okay. I'm just wondering how it compares to other models.

Chris
 

[jpec]

I've made the fly swatter model and purchased the one from eBay. Both work fine. Mine are battery powered. The one from eBay is a bit neater in application. If you make the swatter model, try and find a strainer with a plastic edge in case of accidental contact with your grounding wire. The eBay one stores up quite a static charge so remove the batteries and discharge it before you put it away - I forgot those 5th grade science labs about static electricity...when the clip hit the screen it bit like a crocodile. My forearm hurt for 2 days...

[160pennsy]

Made a DIY version of the "Grassinator"  before it was made available for purchase thru Raildig / ZTrack Center. Still have enough parts available if anyone is interested in making their own..PM me. Here's the Raildig commercial version for sale around $89.00

http://ztrackcenter.com/ZTR-400

[Doc Frankenfield]

one important addition: white glue dries shiny, it is best to use matte medium which can also be mixed with acrylic colors to add more depth to the the under painting.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

one important addition: white glue dries shiny, it is best to use matte medium which can also be mixed with acrylic colors to add more depth to the the under painting.

Although beware, sometimes matte medium will leave a white residue.
In general, it's YMMV across the board.

[JeffB]

Although beware, sometimes matte medium will leave a white residue.
In general, it's YMMV across the board.

The white residue issue can be mitigated by thinning the matte medium and letting it sit for a week or so.  After a week, decant the white fluid off into another container, being careful not to agitate the mixture.  The solids (titanium dioxide or calcium carbonate) settle out, so as you're careful when you decant it to a new container, you won't have any more solids left in the solution.  So no more white residue.  I got this trick from scenery guru Dave Frary.

Of course this only works if you do it ahead of time, so you have it ready to use when you need it.  I have several containers made up, waiting for use.

FWIW... 

I dilute matte medium about 3:1 with a mix of water and 91% IPA.  Mix matte medium (1 part) with water (about 2.75 parts).  Shake well to fully mix.  Then add about 0.25 parts 91% IPA.  Shake again and let sit for about a week.   You can't add IPA directly to most matte mediums, the acrylic resin doesn't like it for whatever reason and will likely turn into a gooey mess.  You first have to thin the MM with water, mix and then add IPA.  I'll also add several drops of dishwashing detergent just for good measure.  What it makes is a very "wet" scenery gluing solution.  Little to no surface tension.

To use, I wet the scenery with more IPA, then apply using either an eyedropper or an atomizer (depending on what I'm gluing).

JB

[davefoxx]

The white residue issue can be mitigated by thinning the matte medium and letting it sit for a week or so.  After a week, decant the white fluid off into another container, being careful not to agitate the mixture.  The solids (titanium dioxide or calcium carbonate) settle out, so as you're careful when you decant it to a new container, you won't have any more solids left in the solution.  So no more white residue.  I got this trick from scenery guru Dave Frary.

Of course this only works if you do it ahead of time, so you have it ready to use when you need it.  I have several containers made up, waiting for use.

FWIW... 

I dilute matte medium about 3:1 with a mix of water and 91% IPA.  Mix matte medium (1 part) with water (about 2.75 parts).  Shake well to fully mix.  Then add about 0.25 parts 91% IPA.  Shake again and let sit for about a week.   You can't add IPA directly to most matte mediums, the acrylic resin doesn't like it for whatever reason and will likely turn into a gooey mess.  You first have to thin the MM with water, mix and then add IPA.  I'll also add several drops of dishwashing detergent just for good measure.  What it makes is a very "wet" scenery gluing solution.  Little to no surface tension.

To use, I wet the scenery with more IPA, then apply using either an eyedropper or an atomizer (depending on what I'm gluing).

JB

I'm too lazy for all of that, not to mention that when I get inspired to go ballasting, it's go time or forget it.    I use diluted white glue and never had a problem with it drying shiny.  I use a ratio of about 1:3 white glue to water.

DFF

[JeffB]

I'm too lazy for all of that, not to mention that when I get inspired to go ballasting, it's go time or forget it.    I use diluted white glue and never had a problem with it drying shiny.  I use a ratio of about 1:3 white glue to water.

DFF

To each his own...  That's why I made up a bunch ahead of time.  So I have it whenever the mood strikes. 

I prefer matte medium for three reasons.  One, it dries flexible, something which some modelers swear is important for ballasting, because it doesn't conduct sound as readily as white glue.  Two, if I don't like the results, I can spray it down with some IPA and scrape it off (you just have to wet it, not drown it).  While you can wet white glue with water, it takes a really good soaking for it to loosen up.  And finally... Three, matte medium is an acrylic, not made from animal products, so it's not "food" for mildew or any other micro critters.  Not critical to most guys if they have dry basements or layout spaces, but if you're layout is prone to mold/mildew, white glue is likely not a good idea.

But this is not an argument...  Use whatever you feel most comfortable with.  The downside of matte medium is cost, it's a lot more expensive than white glue.  Modge Podge "matte" is similar and not as expensive, if you're turned off by the high cost of matte medium.

To keep things on topic...  I've built four static grass applicators over the last 20 odd years.  Started with 15kV negative ion generators from a supplier in Australia (Oatley Electronics).  The last version I built a year or so back, uses a 30kV negative ion generator from Information Unlimited in Vermont (they're an electronic gizmo importer, most of their products are sourced in China). 

When it comes to static grass applicators, the more kV's you have, the better (professional "flocking" machines use up to 75kV).  The downside is that it also means the jolt it'll give you if you touch the screen without grounding it, will get more severe as the power increases. 

Luke Towan has some excellent tutorials on constructing your own on his YouTube channel.  My latest version uses his idea for the container that holds the flock.  It is a food container with a clip on lid, which makes filling with flock a lot easier.  Previous iterations of my own machines used screw on tops, which were a pain in the backside.

Jeff

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm too lazy for all of that, not to mention that when I get inspired to go ballasting, it's go time or forget it.    I use diluted white glue and never had a problem with it drying shiny.  I use a ratio of about 1:3 white glue to water.

DFF

Lol, yep, I'm in the same camp.

[peteski]

The white residue issue can be mitigated by thinning the matte medium and letting it sit for a week or so.  After a week, decant the white fluid off into another container, being careful not to agitate the mixture.  The solids (titanium dioxide or calcium carbonate) settle out, so as you're careful when you decant it to a new container, you won't have any more solids left in the solution.  So no more white residue.  I got this trick from scenery guru Dave Frary.

But aren't those 2 ingredients what makes the matte medium "matte"?  Won't it be more glossy without them?
Sort of like draining the liquid part of Dullcote, discarding the flattening agent that settled to the bottom of the bottle. That would create "Glosscote".

[robert3985]

But aren't those 2 ingredients what makes the matte medium "matte"?  Won't it be more glossy without them?
Sort of like draining the liquid part of Dullcote, discarding the flattening agent that settled to the bottom of the bottle. That would create "Glosscote".

I've been using Mod-Podge Matte lately with very satisfactory results, diluting it two to one with water and a couple of drops of Dawn for ballast and ground cover.  No white crusty problems at all.  For static grass, I'm going to dilute it one to one with water, and for making bushes and bunch grass...use it straight. 

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore