Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Hey all,


I'm looking to create some water effects on a game board; specifically a lazy river feeding into an equally lazy pond. A very good beginner's project. However I'm noticing that the "water kits" from places like Woodland Scenic are very expensive.


Does anyone have a proven home system that works to a professional level? I can find just about any material I need, and I always prefer to make my own rather than buy kits, because it's often cheaper.


Any help is appreciated.

What depth are you looking for in the pools?

Well.... I'm not certain. They would be very simple pools and lazy rivers to begin, nothing complex. Later it would be 'deep lakes' coloring and that sort of thing, but isn't that mostly what you put on as a basecoat prior to the water?


So let's say 6ft deep in terms of scale; green-blue water.

The proven systems are the expensive ones I'm afraid. People have kind of done stuff with PVA glue or varnish in extremely thin layers, but they all suck compared to the proper water effects.

Barter_Bunker wrote:
Well.... I'm not certain. They would be very simple pools and lazy rivers to begin, nothing complex. Later it would be 'deep lakes' coloring and that sort of thing, but isn't that mostly what you put on as a basecoat prior to the water?


So let's say 6ft deep in terms of scale; green-blue water.

I meant in terms of mm/inches.
For surface water under 0.5cm, acrylic varnish will pool well enough. Deeper you will need to use gels or multiple layers.

Unfortunately most cheap glue or other options can discolour over time.

Hmm. Ok, well I guess I don't have a TON of water effects to do.... What is the best-priced quality company I should be using?

I just saw a product called "water effect plastic sheet". I'm afraid I don't know much about it but it looks like a cheap way of producing a water surface.

 Icurus wrote:
I just saw a product called "water effect plastic sheet". I'm afraid I don't know much about it but it looks like a cheap way of producing a water surface.

I seen it too it is basicaly a clear plastic sheet with a water ripple texture on one side. They are available in shops that sell supplies for model railroads as this is what they are primarily used for.
From what I gather you cut them in shape to fit your water surface. Paint the flat surface of your water and than glue the sheet on top of it. I have also seen people paint and highlight the sheets themselves.
They come in different sizes and quality. Lining up sheets for larger water bodies is going to be an issue though.