I used the Woodland Scenic Cement for the first time the other day for ballasting. It has left a white film over my painted railroad ties. Did I miss something here, I did shake the bottle before use.
Did you thoroughly wet the ballast with an alcohol/water mixture before applying the cement? You can also use a water/dish detergent solution as a wetting agent.
The bottle said to spray the cement over the area and then saturate. Their video said not to use anything else. Looking at the track later I think that I sealed in the dust from the ballast. I had expected the gluing process to clean the ties off. It also did not create a great hold for the ballast either. I think I am going to try the standard method with wet water and Elmer's glue. What type of alcohol do you use? I have been seeing people use dishwashing liquid. Any other thoughts are welcome.
Elmers will dry hard and be subject to cracking over the life of your layout. Try diluted "matte medium" instead after saturating your ballast with wet water. The stuff comes in gloss too, so be sure you buy matte (dull). You may wish to experiment with the application before applying to your layout. I used an eye dropper to apply the matte medium so as to control it better. I can't recall my matte medium dilution ratio [ ], but you might start with 50/50.
I use a 50/50 mix of water with 70% isopropyl alcohol. I'm familiar with the water/dish detergent method, but I find the alcohol gets absorbed much quicker, and it accelerates the absorption of the adhesive. I've tried WS Scenic Cement, diluted Matte Medium, and diluted white glue (Elmer's) all they all work equally well. Elmer's is easily the most cost efficient.
A method that's been successful for me is to dilute matte medium 50-50 with 70% or 92% isopropyl alcohol. I then use this directly on dry ballast WITHOUT pre-wetting the ballast. In other words, it's a one-step method for securing ballast. The alcohol mixed with the matte medium breaks the surface tension, allowing the matte medium to flow into the ballast without pre-wetting. This eliminates the whole step of first saturating the ballast with "wet water." The time required for securing ballast is thus greatly reduced. - Jeff
I figured out that it was WS ballast dust that was glued to the RR ties. I cleaned it up which damaged what ballast that was there. I didn't have enough glue down. I re ballasted the area but have not glued it down yet. Of course there is dust on the RR ties again. I am planning on using wet water this time hoping that it will clean this off. Do I need to wait for the glue to dry and then scrub the ties? I used fine ballast the first time and this time I am using medium which so far has been has been easier to work with.
I use Elmers cut 50% w/ water and a drop or two detergent (Dawn). After it dries, I wind up weathering ties w/ markers. Holds tight and no film issues.
I am being more carefull with the ballast now. I am figuring that I will end up touching up the paint. Thank you for the replies.
