Hi all,

I'm trying to add some clump foliage to a steep vertical wall and am not having any luck with scenic cement nor elmers glue. Does anyone have a good adhesive I could use for either Scenic Express Super Turf or Woodland Scenics Clump Foliage?

Thanks in advance.

--Greg

If you're covering the entire surface or discrete areas, you could use spray glue. Spray the area and then stick on the clumps.

Dennis

Hey Greg, I think Dennis was suggesting a spray adhesive like Scotch 3M Spray adhesive. It comes in 12oz spray cans. You can get at Wallyworld or big box stores and even at Auto parts stores. You can sray large areas or just smaller little patches, give it a few seconds(maybe 30-45 sec's) to get tacky and then just push on your foilage!

Hi Greg,

I like the spray adhesive as well. You can also layer additional coats of spray and foliage to areas to create a denser look in some areas.

Have fun with it. I like spraying a heavy stream close-up, the adhesive will start to drip, but not much and if you sprinkle fine grass material over that you can achieve the look of ivy hanging down.

Patty

Thanks all! I'll stop and get some tomorrow - I work 2 minutes from a Lowes and Super Walmart....one should have it.

--Greg

One of the scenery books suggests mixxing white glue with foam and create a paste with the consistency of oatmeal.... that's what I am planning to try next....

I have had some success with dipping lychen in white glue and adding it in layers.... do a row - let it dry; do another - etc....

Greg--

3M Spray cement's the way to go. I think the actual brand is called ""Super 77" Just don't forget to invert the can when you're finished and spray until it's just air coming out. The nozzles REALLY get clogged if you don't.

Also, be sure you mask areas you don't want sprayed, as this is STICKY stuff.

Good luck.

Paul

If one just wants to place clumps of whatever material, can the adhesive just be sprayed on the material and then place it into position. If an area is not covered with scenic material and the spray adhesive gets on them, does the glue dry hard and clear so that it does not take away from the base layer?

The method I used was I started at the bottom, using white glue, I stacked some then let it dry then added more until I reached the top. It sounds simple but it's hard to not try to glue it all in place all at once, just to watch it fall all over after a few minutes. Take your time and have fun.

Paul

Memory serves me that the spray stuff pretty much disappears, but there is a slight sheen, depending on how thick you apply it.

Applying it to the clump instead of the surface is a good idea. I would strongly suggest using disposable gloves if you go that route. This stuff STICKS on your hands.

Paul

You could try hot glue.

Greg, it's overkill, but I use a dab of "Liquid Nails" construction adhesive. It easily holds ground cover or clump foilage to the side of a mountain or anyting else, and once it dries, it's there for the duration. It's almost like using a piece of bubble gum.

I've done lots of steep and even vertical areas using this method:

Get some brown wrapping paper and cut into the size you want to work with. I used roughly a foot square.

Attach the foliage to the paper using hot glue. I smear glue in a 2 or 3 inch square area, then stick down the foliage, move to the next little area, etc. When done, you have a foliage "blanket" like this one:



Glue the blankets to your hardshell using hot glue.

Thank you Bob for taking the time to post pics! As it turns I was looking at pics of your layout and was trying to emulate the very look you have on your mountains…talk about “a small world”. I happen to have a roll of brown wrapping paper at home and will get to work on it tonight!

I did purchase the spray adhesive but it was slow going trying to get Super Turf to lie correctly as some adhesive got on my fingers or whatever I used to try to get it in the right place. I was going to order some poly fiber from Micro Mark to spray with glue and then dip in the Super Turf however there’s obviously no need to do that now.

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to read and share advice. I really appreciate it!

--Greg

Give mod podge a try or you could even use hot glue from a gun.

Bob,
what are you using for foliage? Great looking mountain!

Andy, I'm using Woodland Scenics Foliage Clusters. This product comes in essentially solid blocks of foam. These get torn into pieces about the size shown below.



I use a mix of 3 parts dark green, 2 parts medium green and 1 part light green. The pieces are torn up into a cardboard box while watching TV, then are mixed up by hand in the box. The pieces are glued to the wrapping paper at random. This is the same method used on Howard Zane's and Tony Lash's layouts. I think Howard is the person who first came up with it.

Thanks, Bob. I saw a photo of your Horseshoe Curve in a weathering article of OGR awhile back and I always wondered who's it was until I saw it in a recent post. Very impressive and realistic-a Pennsy fan's dream to have on a layout.

Hello
After the foliage is glued in place and dries, do you top spray with scenic glue ?
Thanks, Bob H.

Of course, the other thing you can use is Woodland Scenics tacky glues, of which there are several: Hob-e-Tac, Scenic Accents, and Sticky Bond. they're all used similarly...apply to the surface, let dry until clear, put your foliage, etc. in place. When the adhesive dries clear it has a high residual tack. The Hob-e-Tac especially will grab very well.

All three of these products have a brush-top cap. Makes it very handy for doing vine-covered walls...simply brush the vine pattern on the wall, let dry to a tackiness, add your foliage.

FWIW.

KD

quote:

Originally posted by nobsbob:
Hello
After the foliage is glued in place and dries, do you top spray with scenic glue ?
Thanks, Bob H.

No, I would not top spray.

quote:

Originally posted by nobsbob:
Hello
After the foliage is glued in place and dries, do you top spray with scenic glue ?
Thanks, Bob H.

If this question is for me, I don't spray with anything once the clumps are glued in place.

Sorry, Bob. I took it as an open question.

No worries guys. It is a open question.
Thanks, Bob H.

Bob, Thanks so much for that tip! What an elegant solution! This one will get implemented in a hurry.

Chris
LVHR

PS If you are only doing little areas and lines of foliage, I've had good luck with some of theses super tacky white glues. Try AC Moore or Michael's Craft stores.

I too want to thank you Bob for posting the pictures and offering the suggestion. Great tip!

- walt