Basing Help

[Aristo]

Whenever I read a tutorial for basing, it's always the same thing I do - spread Elmer's glue around the base, dip it in sand, add grass, etc. However, I have an awful time with loose sand falling off the base after it's dried. I do shake off the excess after I dip them, but even days later after they're dry, a dab of a brush or too much force will knock grains off the model.
I need a sure-fire way to keep the sand on the base for good. I've had too many black spots on my bases from trying to paint them, only to have a clump of grains pop off.

 

[Raven Torrid]

Applying a layer of watered-down elmer's glue on the already dried sand should help. Also, I once used a wood stain product (Bondex) for the same cause, on a bigger terrain project. Think it fastened the sand rather well.

 

[Aristo]

I've tried the watered-down glue method before, but the water seemed to lift the bond and spread the sand around when I first did it. Afterwards, I just used the very tip of the brush to 'drop' the mixture onto the base, which worked out better. However, I still have trouble here and there. In one or two cases, the Elmer's lost its bond on the plastic and the whole layer of glue, with the sand still attached peeled right off the plastic!
Dropping superglue into the sand makes a good hold, but it's not economical to use that much of it just for basing.
In theory, the layer of primer and paint afterwards should hold the sand down, but all too often, I still get grains crumbling off when trying to paint.

 

[Thindol]

You can use super glue too but I would try the new texture paint from GW. It is paint that contains sand in it and when it dries it doesn't flake off and takes paint very well. Though really when you've applied the colour it just needs a light drybrush and then you are free to flock it as you will. Trust me. Once you go to the texture paints you will never switch back to sand again.

 

[Aristo]

Textured paint sure sounds like it'd save me some sanity! Looks like there are a couple manufacturers that have their own. I'll look into it!

 

[Blutsauger]

Textured paint sure sounds like it'd save me some sanity! Looks like there are a couple manufacturers that have their own. I'll look into it!

What I do is paint the base in white glue, then dip it in sand, then paint it in whatever colour I want the base to be. Usually some kind of brown, before I add grass and whatnot.

I have never had sand falling off my bases, I struggle to see how you could follow this process and still have sand falling off your bases.

 

[Aristo]

Beats me; maybe it's the sand I use. Tends to be of a slightly thicker grain. In some cases, I've used ballast. Maybe I ought to try lighter stuff?

 

[Raven Torrid]

I use a mix of fine masonry sand and kitty litter...with a 70:30 ratio let's say. It also gets sprayed when I undercoat the miniature. Sometimes the bigger kitty litter grains fall off, but never the sand though.

 

[Von Calyptra]

I glue my sand down with krazy glue, then paint, wash, and drybrush it. I sometimes get a grain or two coming off when I'm painting the base color on, but it's rock solid after that.

 

[Shadespyre]

Apply the glue and then pour on lots of sand - my models are sometimes neck deep in it! The weight of the excess will push the sand right down into the glue rather than leaving it sat on top. Leave to set for a good while before disturbing the sand.

If the whole glue and sand layer peels of your bases, you can try washing the bases in soap and water to remove grease before you start, and roughening the base (with coarse sand paper) could help . I suspect your glue is contracting a lot, perhaps you are using too much water or just poor glue, I use PVA wood glue rather than art shop stuff which gives poor results in my experience.

 

[Blutsauger]

I guess if you're using very coarse sand that could be happening. I just use fine sand from the beach.

 

[Thindol]

I guess if you're using very coarse sand that could be happening. I just use fine sand from the beach.

This is why I ignore Blutsauger. He rubs in the fact he lives on a beach with a bunch of bikini clad men.

 

[Blutsauger]

hahaha!

 

[darragh]

Can't speak for other companies but Gw sand is to lumpy and just flakes Off. Finer sand sticks much. Better and takes to paint much better beach sand or kids sandbox playsand I find works best. A big bag of playsand costs next to nothing for a huge bag . I only slightly water down the glue then dip it. the layer of paint then also should help keep it in place I also use purity seal never had it fall Off except On bases with Gw sand which all had to be redone by covering the gaps where it came Off with army painter grass tufts

 

[SotF]

I haven't had any trouble with what I use, a gel craft glue...that also tends to work rather well for water effects if you don't add anything to it...

 

[robtion]

I use PVA glue, sprinkle sand on, let it dry, then spray with white undercoat. I find using spray paint is much better than painting it on with a brush, not sure how you are doing it.

I also use fairly fine sand from the beach.

 

[SotF]

I use PVA glue, sprinkle sand on, let it dry, then spray with white undercoat. I find using spray paint is much better than painting it on with a brush, not sure how you are doing it.

I also use fairly fine sand from the beach.

Some of the cheap craft acrylics seem to work pretty well for doing that if the environment makes sprays difficult, you might need a heavier than normal coat, but it works well.