"Basing problem, help!!" Topic

I am sending a distress signal to the collective brains that is TMPS!
Just finnished basing a massive lot of Napoleonic figures on MDF bases.
Well, heres is what happened yesterday, after finishing the last layer of drybrushing, I added white glue to the areas that I was going to apply static grass, and sprinkled grass on it last night.
This morning, before leaving for work, I turn the bases upside down to tap of the excess grass, and find to my horror that the white glue shows through the grass!!
The bases now look like they have patches of rubber on them and the very littel grass that has attached itself to the glue, is sparse and does not cover the patches(!!!)

What do I do now, short of starting all over again(!!:=)??
I thought about either diluting white glue and add it over the areas and try to put grass on them again, or just use some superglue on the areas and add more grass that way..

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thx in advance!
Dr J

I don't sprinkle static grass onto PVA but grab a clump of grass and 'stab' the glue with it. It seems to stick better that way.

I usually dilute the PVA a bit before dunking the base in the static grass tub – the grass sticks fine.
Sounds like you put too much glue on the bases.
I'd just apply diluted PVA and then put the whole base in the tub of static grass for a few seconds. Then invert the base and tap to get rid of excess; you don't need to leave it overnight.

I always press the grass into the glue, just sprinkling doesn't get enough well stuck.

Solution may need to be removing the lumps there and re-doing but you could try a 2nd go at the areas that haven't worked and see if you are happy with a few test samples before doing the lot.

I make a mix of PVA (the thick builders sort) and about 25% matt medium then thin it to the consistency of thick pouring cream. The medium stops any glossiness shining through if odd spots don't take grass.

I'd advise against superglue – if that goes wrong then you ARE in trouble.

I assume the white glue is PVA ?

IN which case, what were the weather conditions you applied it ?
It may not have had enough time to cure or dry out if the weather was cold and damp (like it is here in the UK). I find leaving it on a warm sunny window ledge will help it to cure/dry out and go transparent.

Not sure about the grass not sticking to it…how old is it ?

If its PVA, it might not be too late to remove it safely by submerging the bases in warm (not hot!) water for an hour or so.

PVA takes a while to completely cure, and is rarely genuinely waterproof, so you may be able to 'reset' the bases that way.

Alternatively, I'd suggest getting some of the 'clumped' grass that comes on a piece of plastic film (I think Warlord sell this as part of their Army Painter range? But there's plenty of alternatives from model railway suppliers), and applying clumps of that in the barest areas. A small drop of superglue helps to ensure contact is quick and easy.

Best of luck!

DO NOT SOAK your bases. MDF will swell up like a sponge.

I agree you need to press down on your grass to get the best grip.

I would just apply a thin coat to the bare spots and press grass in to it. I put my base in the tub and cover the glue with a thick layer, then press down with my finger. Invert and tap gently then leave to dry.

Next day I tap off the excess in to the tub.

I add green craft paint to the white glue when basing for that very reason. Could use brown if you wanted dirt or mud.

I'd try turning an oven on to 200 F for 3 minutes, then turning it off. Put a single stand of your troops in the oven for 30 minutes and see what happens – your glue may at least not look shiny when it is dried completely.

If that's the case, buy some clumps of the SHORT buffalo grass from Scenic Effects, and stick a clump over every sparse patch. It should look fine.

Thank you so much everyone!! your advice saved the day!:)
I did the following:
diluted PVA glue with Matt Varnish to about 70-30, then covered the areas of glue shining through the sparse grass, then I took the static grass between my fingers and pushed it into the wet glue, turned the bases around and tapped off the excess grass, and Lord Behold!: It looks great!!

I think I know what I did wrong the first time around:
I put to much PVA glue (Neat) on them, and then only "sprayed" the bases with grass. To much glue, to little grass.
No more short cuts from here on…

Again, thank you so much for the good advice!!

Cheers

Dr J

You are welcome, glad it worked out for you. Also glad that you didn't take the rather drastic (and unnecessary) actions proposed by some posters.