Modelling Landscapes
What products do people use in the UK for: 1. modelling plaster 2. sealer for preparing the plaster surfaces for painting 3. wetting agent 4. paint for weathering buildings, wagons, etc.

Hi Paul, I use casting plaster rather than plaster of paris on my layout. I also add 1 tea spoon of concrete dye to every cup of plaster. This means that my base coat of plaster is never white! When painting plaster castings (ie rock faces etc) I use artists Gouache, specifically Jo Sonja's which is an acrylic. But be warned, if you buy cheap stuff it does fade. I pay about NZD10.00/GBP4.20 per 75 ml tube, but it does go a long way. Burnt Umber as the base coat then dry brush black white red etc. I have always used Humbrol paint for my buildings,(and a bit of ash) for weathering. I have just taken the plunge and bought an air brush (now need to buy a compressor!) so no doubt the ash treatment may be a thing of the past. For wagons I have used powder paint, just brush it on and let the moisture in the air stick it down. If it falls off, like Tim says it adds to the track weathering! Can I seem a bit simple ask what you need a wetting agent for? Regards John Not from the UK!

John, The wetting agent is to lower the surface tension of water, glue, paint, etc. With paint the idea is that it runs freely into every nook and cranny. With (diluted) glue, so that it doesn't form large blobs on top of the ballast or sand causing it to shift and creating an uneven covering, instead of soaking it thoroughly where it is. Only a drop or two is needed to achieve the desired effect. Up to now I've used a drop of washing up liquid like Tim which works reasonably well. In Germany they use Agepon, which I gather is a type of photographer's wetting agent solution used in developing film.