Permanent basing materials

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**KommissarKiln**

Hey guys,

I have been using a variety of modelling sands, coarse and fine, to base my models for a very long time. However, over time (especially because I transport and game with my minis, not just display them), the sand will eventually crumble or peel off, even after being glued down by a generous amount of glue, and further sealed by a few layers of paint on the base. What kinds of (preferably cheap) methods do you guys have to make nice looking bases that don't get worn down?

Thanks everybody,
KK

**PiPaPo**

Try sealing the sand with watered down PVA glue and letting it dry before painting. Using this method I haven't had any issues of sand lifting off the model.

**methebest**

I use a texturing gel with sand in it, mostly for larger models or ones with bases attached to them(so bases on bases.)

**bubber**

Mixing the sand with white glue & apply with a small spatula. It sets like rock.

**Vulcan**

Sounds to me like your problem is your transport method, not your basing. I glue my basing down with thinned PVA, then give it two coats of thinned paint and it's NEVER chipped or crumbled, even after nearly a decade of use.

**insaniak**

Yeah, sand glued down with superglue can work loose over time, but I've very rarely had issues with PVA glue.

**MechaEmperor7000**

I've seen people use corkboard for texturing, making them look like rock outcroppings. The worse that can happen is probably the corkboard breaking, but a bit of glue will solve that much easier than trying to re-sand a base and then repainting it.

**Desubot**

You could go the extreme route and cast your own bases with sand texture added into it.

**Danny Internets**

If you're going for more minimalist basing with just a sand/earth texture then I suggest using superglue to adhere flock to the bases. Flock will absorb the glue and become hard just like sand, but won't peel or crumble off no matter what you do to it.