Looking for tips for realistic river/creek/streams

[primavw]

Anyone have any estimates on how long their layers of gloss medium took to dry?

I'm not sure if I went too thick but its been several days and I still have cloudiness under the hard surface? Can I continue to apply layers despite this or wait until the cloudiness is dry? I sealed the painted surface underneath so there is no porous surface underneath.

[Philip H]

What are your temperature and humidity like I the layout space?

[primavw]

I can't say for sure, but the layout is in a finished sunroom so I'd say the humidity is dry, and the temp is about 65-70 degrees

[Roger Holmes]

A thin brushed on coat dries in about 5 minutes with a hairdryer.  Without a hairdryer I recall 30-60 minutes.

I wouldn't use a hair dryer on yours now as it might ruin the surface before it dries up the trapped moisture.  I also wouldn't put on another layer until the subsurface moisture is gone as it will just further encapsulate the existing moisture making it take even longer to dry.

Just my two cents.

[primavw]

A thin brushed on coat dries in about 5 minutes with a hairdryer.  Without a hairdryer I recall 30-60 minutes.

I wouldn't use a hair dryer on yours now as it might ruin the surface before it dries up the trapped moisture.  I also wouldn't put on another layer until the subsurface moisture is gone as it will just further encapsulate the existing moisture making it take even longer to dry.

Just my two cents.

Much appreciated. I was thinking about poking the encapsulated areas with a pin to let some air in, but was afraid the pinhole would ruin the surface...

I admittedly put on a thick layer, so it has been a few days since I laid the layers. I am noticing that it is drying in small steps, but its taking just about forever. A layer I laid last Thursday still has milky areas.

[tom mann]

Gloss Medium is not the product to use if you want a water effect that looks like it has depth.  For example, you could never get the look of Ian's water with Gloss Medium alone.  Well, maybe after 100,000 coats you could. :troll face:

If you poured it on thick, the water content will evaporate leaving the equivalent of a few coats.

[DKS]

Gloss gel does not shrink anywhere near as much--maybe only 50% or so. A few layers of gel will build up a fair bit of depth. It won't have the clarity of poured products, however; it will be slightly murky. Which might be a good thing.