I have read a couple places about 'wetting' the ballast, before gluing, with rubbing alcohol. Is this Isopropyl or Ethyl alcohol? Or does it matter?
Isopropyl. The common drug store cheap variety. You don't have to get the high concentration 80% unless you want to use it for removing lettering or paint from rolling stock.... the lower 40% (IIRC) works fine. While you are at the drugstore get a couple of ear syringes for applying the acholol and the diluted white glue/water mixture. Charlie
I would like to add.. That you can dillute it 50% or more with water and it still works as well. The dilluted IPA stinks a lot less, absorbs into the ballast as well, and saves you a little money.
Same here, except I put mine in a small spray bottle, then spay over a larger area of the ballast. It doesn't hurt the rail or the ties. I also use IPA mixed with india ink for weathering.
