Snow

[chuff_n_puff]

Does anyone know what Woodland Scenic snow is made of? I was trying to make my own with styrofoam, using a food processor, and it is just to light to grind up. It makes great HO scale snow balls, however!

[Yampa Bob]

I think every type of their foliage is made of foam, but it is a harder, non toxic foam like their foam sheets.

Sounds like a weird way to make Sno Cones.

Bob

[r.cprmier]

A reasonably convincing HO "snow" is baking soda.  Just be careful around it with moving parts (like drive trains) as it is somewhat abrasive.

[Yampa Bob]

Don't get it wet, we used to use baking soda and water to boil corrosion off battery terminals.  It was also used to burn out  canker sores and fever blisters.

Bob

[Stephen D. Richards]

Still works on battery terminals!  Stephen

[sparkyjay31]

Plaster of paris.  Sprinkle it on and spray it with water.  An article was written in Scenery Tips and Techniques from MR.  My book is dated 1989 and is ISBN # 0-89024-095-7.  Great book and has lots of cool (no pun intended) ideas.  It's pretty much zip-texturing with white plaster.

[r.cprmier]

That would work fine, but what would you do when the snow gets brown from dust accumalation?

Tell 'em you're from Amarillo, Texas.  They call it "Snust"!

[sparkyjay31]

sparkyjay31
That would work fine, but what would you do when the snow gets brown from dust accumalation? With powdered snow all you have to do is apply another layer or vacuum and re-apply new snow. With your version you end up with a permanant brown mess! I found some dense white foam that I can make 5 gallons for about 10 bucks, with the food processor. That beats Woodland Scenic's $10 per quart. As a matter of fact, I found out that was how they make it, but their bulk foam cost is a whole lot cheaper. An employee, and friend of mine, of Woodland Scenic told me they have about 50 cents in each quart of snow, and that was mainly the cost of the container!

Sprinkle on some more plaster and hit it with a mist of water.  Presto, white again...

[Guilford Guy]

I've had good results with baking powder. I've used it on diorama's where it was washed off immediately afterwards. The locomotive shell was brushed off with a soft paint brush, then washed in water. The wheels were cleaned with alcohol, and all moving parts got a brushing off with a different brush.

[grumpy]

The best place to buy snow is at a craft shop..they sell it in various mediums. I usually buy mine at Michaels.
Don

[Yampa Bob]

I don't have to worry about snow, got about 5 feet of it outside.

Bob

[Johnson Bar Jeff]

I sure don't mean to offend anybody, but I have to admit I had a laugh at the mental image of someone chopping up styrofoam in a food processor.

Aside from the question of the quality of "snow" it would make, doesn't that make an awful mess in the food processor?

BTW, the only "food processor" I've ever used is a knife and a cutting board, so I don't really know from food processors. ...

[TonyD]

Before we go into living objects in the mirowave jokes... a serious point needs to be addressed before plugging in anymore kitchen utencils, is this snow scene going to be permanent? If so, joint compound, up to the rails if needed, contoured to the setting, roads, paths, melted spots like around ashpits, car washers, etc. I put a coat of gloss white rustoleum on it, and comes clean and bright with a wet sponge. Just spend as much time as you need keeping the railhead and flangeways clean, as for a roof or other places that need a dusting, Sparkyjay's idea is atleast reversable.... no one says you can't change you mind and put a coat of flat black or other earth tones over the gloss white in future.... semi permanent, but not 'set in stone'.... I'll tell ya, the white sure highlights the dark of most steamers and rolling stock... blender or not, a lump 1mm around is still 4 inche HO, a bit too lumpy for most climates...

[TonyD]

Yaa noooooo, I somethimes think I am wasting electricity. "rustoleum" is a paint. A very durable, flat spread, glossy, nice....paint. The rustoleum people would love it if everyone repainted stuff as soon as it gets dirty. I will buy stock in the company wwhen that becomes trendy.... its lifespand outdoors is aproxx. 10-12 years properly applied. In doors, where MOST layouts are located.... I would estimate the 'wash-ability' to be....well, between the pyramid hyrogliphics and cave art.... but carry on, you're doing fine....

[TonyD]

Hummmm, seems a posting has disappeared, deleted for all time, the world is a beter place because of it. One good thing about forumites, they constantly remind me that quiting my teaching job was the right decision after all....... but I am ready to work on another winter scene, but not with joint compound, I want to keep an entire 12x24" section of buildings light enough to remove .... perhaps fluffy white kittens? 30 seconds with a dash of packing peanuts?.... well... I just painted the kitchen ceiling last month, maybe a bad idea huh?