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I recently picked up a model on which I want to do a winter theme base. I'd love to have a layer of clear ice which I can rough up a bit and toss some snow texture paint on.
My question for you masters of the art, what would you suggest for a clear ice effect? Liquid Resin Epoxy? Clear PVA or Craft glue? Something else?

Similar to this image: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/7a/a5/2d/7aa52dc6e9f002058eecce06149e8fff.jpg

Not PVA, simply because it goes cloudy after a time.

Vallejo water effects is good stuff. Not sure how you could apply it to ice though.

 D4V1D0 wrote:
Not PVA, simply because it goes cloudy after a time.

Vallejo water effects is good stuff. Not sure how you could apply it to ice though.

Well I'd color the base an ice blue, probably pour the water effect over it with some kind of brace around it to keep the shape, then after it dries, taking an exacto to simulate some cracks on the ice, then drybrush with some dead white and add some snow texture sparingly? Just not sure about the best process for it. Was hoping someone has already gone down this path before and had some sage advice.

https://www.amazon.com/Holtz-Distress-Crackle-Paint-Clear/dp/B005FY5HCW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486760244&sr=8-1&keywords=ranger+crackle+paint+clear

My fave

 Zach wrote:
https://www.amazon.com/Holtz-Distress-Crackle-Paint-Clear/dp/B005FY5HCW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486760244&sr=8-1&keywords=ranger+crackle+paint+clear

My fave

Ok now that's cool! Thank you, man!

You could cut up some clear solid plastic. Rough up the upper surface a bit, paint the UNDER-side, and put snow/elements on top before you add the (finished) mini to the base.

cut some plastic from miniature packages (the bubble it comes in) or some other plastic packaging

So I ended up finding two very nice things at Hobby Lobby tonight.

The most important was this stuff:

https://www.amazon.com/DecoArt-Step-Crackle-Paint-2-Ounce/dp/B0035G56UA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Then I also found a bottle of clear acrylic enamel paint:

http://www.hobbylobby.com/Crafts-Hobbies/Stencils-Craft-Paints/Acrylic-Craft-Paints/FolkArt-Enamels-Clear-Medium/p/333

I have two test bases I'm playing with. Both bases are base coated with 'ice blue' from Vallejo. One has a layer of the clear acrylic enamle, and one has a thick layer of the clear crackle. Once they both dry, I'll post the comparison results before adding my GW Valhallan Blizzard texture.

Best part....each bottle was less than $2 since Hobby Lobby has a store wide 30% off paints sale.

Ok, so here are the results. Threw down a layer of Glacier Blue by vallejo, then did a coat of that FolkArt Clear Meduim #4035, then after that was dry, I applied a thick layer of the DecoArt One Step Crackle, finally after that was dried I watered down some "magic Blue' by Vallego and washed the cracks then wiped up the excess from the flat areas.

I'll be applying some valhallan blizzard once I'm certain that the crackle paint is totally set.

Opinions?

Looks great. After the whole thing is done you can put a coat of future floor polish on the ice parts. Will give it a good, wet shine.

PourSpelur wrote:
Looks great. After the whole thing is done you can put a coat of future floor polish on the ice parts. Will give it a good, wet shine.

Very good idea! Thanks!