Idea for snow & mud & swamp: use flour

[ExtraBattleTechisfun]

I use flour (sometimes colored) for snow, mud, & swamp terrain/terrain features.  What do you all use?

[john blackwell]

Plaster of paris. 

For a moon-like look: wet the surface, sift plaster through a flour sifter.
For a smoother look: wet the surface, sift, then re-wet. 

I have used this for years to build volcanoes for school projects or lunar scapes for summer camp programs.  It's cheap and easy to use.

Happy hunting,
JB

[Ratboy]

I use flour (sometimes colored) for snow, mud, & swamp terrain/terrain features.  What do you all use?

Flour is organic and will rot over time, so I would not recommend it.

For snow, woodland scenics, GW, GF9 and several other companies make realistic snow flock. It works the best for most applications.

For mud, using plaster or spackle compound either died brown and/or painted works. Use Future floor polish (It's acrylic) or Testors Glosscote for wetness.

For swamps, basecoat the area to be water blackish green (or greenish black). then use a gloss varnish. then stipple on medium green around the edges for plant growth in the water.

[Ouchies]

Try Baking powder.

Works wonders. ;)

[ShadowRaven]

I use wood filler. shape it with your fingers to give a slight rolling effect for snow. Let the leftovers dry, and crush it to a fine powder, mix it with a little salt (adds a touch of sparkle to the snow) paint down a layer of white paint, and sprinkle it on.

[awclawson]

For mud I use....dirt.  Mix with Elmer's or brown paint to give it a soupy look.  When dried I put super glue over it to make it look wet (use this on small lay outs).  I saw a water mix that you mix paint with and pour out.  From what I saw it looked really good. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqdPZK4K5qc)

For snow I use: http://www.sceneryexpress.com/prodinfo.asp?number=WD0140

[Charlie Tango]

Baby powder for snow.

[Bedwyr]

Baby powder for snow.

And it gives off that distinctive scent every time you play.  ;D

[sir_spamalot]

And it gives off that distinctive scent every time you play.  ;D

Use what you have handy...and lately... he's had no shortness of supply.  ;)

[Charlie Tango]

Actually we've never used it for the babies.  the diapers these days are pretty good at controlling moisture and the powder bugs Cris's asthma (and can contribute to the babies developing asthma).  So we have at least two bottles of it we got as gifts that are just sitting in the bathroom closet...

[ShadowRaven]

it has 101 uses other then the baby anyway.

[Digital.rampage]

Depends on what I am putting the snow on.  for bases, I hear they sell this stuff called "MicroBalloons".  As for map boards, hills, etc I use Hydrocal.  You pour it on the area you want the effect (make it thick), then sprinkle it on top.  I have also used glue and sand as well.

[iamfanboy]

I would recommend adding a touch of blue ink to any white material you use for snow; it makes great highlights and looks amazingly natural. I sold off my Tyranids years ago, but they were based in snow and they looked quite the business.

[Col.Hengist]

I use the GW snow stuff. i'm allergic to flour.