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I am trying to make nice bases for my new DE, but am finding that even when i go over the sand that i glue on the base multiple times with PVC/white glue (thinned to various degrees) it still always flakes off. Can anyone make suggestions about how to avoid this? (the less toxic/chemically the better, as I'm chemically sensitive).

Any advice greatly appreciated!

-C6

I use superglue, but thats kinda high on the chemically chart.

PVA glue straight from the bottle. It's what everyone and their mothers use for this kind of stuff. Just give the base a good shake and tap off the excess and you're golden.

I do a straight cover of PVA, sand/rock, then watered down PVA on top to solidify the foundation. Works like a charm. I even use it to a degree on my bigger terrain pieces. Water Spray bottle + PVA = Solid.

Yeah, just don't water it down.

I also use superglue, but that's for large rocks and flocking. The little gritty stuff stays on with just PVA just fine.

That or start using wood glue

wood glue, I think it's still PVA but it's a heck of a lot stronger than the white stuff. Dries yellowish though

My mistake in my original post, I do use wood glue. PVA glue watered down tends to expand

I use Elmers Glue All, it does the trick and is cheaper than GW's PVA glue.

I use liquid nails. A small projects tube will last you forever.

Elmer's does make one that they advertise as extra strong now too. I use that.

Use a thick layer of (craft) paint to stick the sand to the base. When dry - flood the base with ink. Now that GW no longer makes inks, I use a combination of Future Floor Polish and a bit of paint (for color). The ink/floor wax dries rock hard.

Previously, I used PVA/white glue, but found that the glue/sand mixture would stick to itself better than the base. Several times I had the whole sand mix release from the base and have to be glued back on.

Another option is art paste - it has nice grit but has to be sculpted on to the base. Too slow for a whole army project.

For bigger pieces or stuff that has a low amount of surface area touching the base, I use superglue. But for the rest of the rocky base I just use wood glue or straight Elmers. A nice thick spray basecoat should also help seal the rocks/sand.

I have a product that beats all PVA/WOOD/ELMERS glues.

Use 2 part epoxy resin, in 30second-10 minute cure ranges, dependant on how much work time and how many models you are confortable doing at once.

Easily gotten at any hardware store, some hobby stores as well. 2 part resin like this is essentially the 'glass' part of fiberglass, and as it is gooey liquid when you apply it and hard plastic when it cures chemically it makes for a superior bond, and texture, and easily outlasts super glue (any cyanoacrylate product) or wood/pva glues, and adheres to plastic very well.

Loctite and Gorilla are 2 of the many brands I have experience with, I usually buy the 5 minute cure times.

Heres a link to a simple product from amazon with an image if you want to mail order it remotely:


http://www.amazon.com/Henkel-1154725-Loctite-0-85-Ounce-Quick/dp/B000PSAKAW/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1294853518&sr=8-12

RanTheCid wrote:Use a thick layer of (craft) paint to stick the sand to the base. When dry - flood the base with ink. Now that GW no longer makes inks, I use a combination of Future Floor Polish and a bit of paint (for color). The ink/floor wax dries rock hard.

Previously, I used PVA/white glue, but found that the glue/sand mixture would stick to itself better than the base. Several times I had the whole sand mix release from the base and have to be glued back on.

Another option is art paste - it has nice grit but has to be sculpted on to the base. Too slow for a whole army project.

If you score your bases before you glue on the sand you won't have this problem! I had the same thing happen to me years ago, now i sand all my bases and/or score them with a hobby knife!

Good idea, I do the scoring as well (regardless of the type of Glue)! Seconded!

So given all the responses, would Wood Glue be the best option for its strength AND low-chemical composition (keep in mind I'm chemically sensitive)

I'll pick up some Wood Glue. It doesn't matter if it dries any funny color, i plan to glue/sand the bases prior to priming, and then paint/drybrush the base terrain anyhow.

And now we come full circle. Wood glue IS PVA glue. It's just not bleached all the way white.

PVA glue is what you want, whether you buy it in the form of wood glue or something really expensive from GW.