"Bulk" epoxy resin for water display/diorama?

[sunsanvil]

I'm very much inspired by this person's technique for creating a water display for ships:



They use an epoxy putty over rigid foam, reminds me of miliput... but they seem to be able to buy it in bulk. Is there anything like this in Canada?

 

[the Baron]

Personally, I would use artist's acrylic gel for that. FineScale Modeler magazine featured an article a while back by naval modeler Chris Flodberg, and that's what he used for his ocean bases. He uses foam insulation board for the base's core, carved to shape, including the displacement of the ship and the waves. Then he uses a surgical toweling and acrylic gel over that, to get the water surface. He also uses surgical wadding, which is very like cotton but apparently accepts shaping better, to do the wave crests and spray.

Arts & crafts stores like Michael's and HobbyLobby carry Golden Acrylic Artists Gel Medium. Michael's has stores in Canada, though I don't know how far it is to one. Though you can order online, too.

Sorry to suggest a different product than what you asked for, but I have no familiarity with using a 2-part epoxy putty over a foam core for making water bases. Personally, I can use either using the putty by itself, but otherwise, the gel and paper toweling method seems easier.

Hope that helps!
Best regards,
Brad

 

[sunsanvil]

He uses foam insulation board for the base's core, carved to shape, including the displacement of the ship and the waves. Then he uses a surgical toweling and acrylic gel over that, to get the water surface. He also uses surgical wadding, which is very like cotton but apparently accepts shaping better, to do the wave crests and spray.

Arts & crafts stores like Michael's and HobbyLobby carry Golden Acrylic Artists Gel Medium. Michael's has stores in Canada, though I don't know how far it is to one. Though you can order online, too.

Super helpful, thank you! I do like the idea of the base material being acrylic, something I have far more familiarity with. I have an excellent local art store who carries Golden.... but there is a dizzying array of options under the Gel and Paste headings. Which one(s) in particular have you used for that first layer over foam?

 

[the Baron]

Definitely the gel medium, not the paste, but the paste might work, too. I only use the gel medium, gloss. Now, I use gloss paint, anyway, but I use the gloss gel. That is, it cures to a gloss finish.