alcoRS1 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 I was talking to my dad, who is visiting at the moment, and he starting his first section (12ftx16") US layout for UK showing, he lives in Macclesfield. I was telling him how I ballast, by spraying down the laid ballast with Isopropyl alcohol, then glue it down with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol (70%) /acrylic matte medium and pvc glue. This leave a solid but flexible ballast that will not become brittle if transporting to shows. he was wondering where to find isopropyl alcohol and matte medium in the UK. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigger Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 You can get isopropyl alcohol from some chemists or Ebay try here http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=isopropyl+alcohol+&_sacat=See-All-Categories Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1905 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 It can be found in hardware stores as paint thinner (for shellac). It can be found in drug stores. Matte medium can be found in arts and crafts or artist supply stores. "Modge Podge" is a brand in the US. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Isn't IPA (not the beer) the same as "Rubbing Alcohol" in British Chemists? Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold John B Posted November 9, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 9, 2010 "Matte Medium" isn't a term generally known in the UK. Tell him he needs some "Matt Varnish"... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine coast Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 "Matte Medium" isn't a term generally known in the UK. Tell him he needs some "Matt Varnish"... Matte medium ....is not matt varnish here John .....it is an acrylic paste used mainly by artists to thicken up and "matt" acrylic paints.....it can be thinned down with water and the alcohol or good old washing up liquid to glue scenery and ballast down without any of the shine you sometimes get with PVA... Regards Trevor ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Isn't IPA (not the beer) the same as "Rubbing Alcohol" in British Chemists? Not sure but I have bought it in Maplins before. It is also great for cleaning car windscreens (just don't inhale ). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2ManySpams Posted November 9, 2010 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 9, 2010 Isn't IPA (not the beer) the same as "Rubbing Alcohol" in British Chemists? Best, Pete. Pete I've looked into this before when buying a big bottle of IPA for track cleaning and found that the stuff sold as 'Rubbing Alcohol' is a weaker strength than the stuff meant for cleaning. The medicinal version is about 70% or less, wheras the cleaning version is up to 99.9%. Not sure what difference it would make in the ballast application though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold John B Posted November 9, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 9, 2010 Matte medium ....is not matt varnish here John .....it is an acrylic paste used mainly by artists to thicken up and "matt" acrylic paints.....it can be thinned down with water and the alcohol or good old washing up liquid to glue scenery and ballast down without any of the shine you sometimes get with PVA... Regards Trevor ... Whooops! Thanks, Trevor, for correcting my mistake! I've used matt (acrylic) varnish, diluted, as a means of securing ballast - hence putting 2+2 together and making 5.. Must brush up on my translations.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 Pete I've looked into this before when buying a big bottle of IPA for track cleaning and found that the stuff sold as 'Rubbing Alcohol' is a weaker strength than the stuff meant for cleaning. The medicinal version is about 70% or less, wheras the cleaning version is up to 99.9%. Not sure what difference it would make in the ballast application though. Not much probably, Chris; IPA is used for all purposes over here - I get mine from CVS Pharmacy Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1905 Posted November 9, 2010 Share Posted November 9, 2010 "Matte Medium" isn't a term generally known in the UK. Tell him he needs some "Matt Varnish"... Darn, I wish we spoke the same language. 8-) Dave H. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Darn, I wish we spoke the same language. 8-) :D :D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 The one thing you can't find over here is: Copydex I believe it must classified as a Class A drug...........................it's the groovy smell, man. Seriously, I asked about it elsewhere and all the suggestions by the locals were "shot down in flames" by others - one would think that "Elmers" would have something identical. Unless someone here knows differently? Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Copydex is a latex adhesive, I don't know if that helps at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Yes, I know. Most latex adhesives over here are not water soluble, come in inconvenient packages and if water soluble are a pain in the butt to dilute. Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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