As it starts to get colder out there, it might be time for some winter diorama soon?
At a local show (Euromodell in Ried/Austria)one modeller had used a product that looked very convincing to me, but failed to reproduce the name or producer.

I will try to descibe it:
Not a solid or cristalline look, but light and fluffy, like freshly fallen snow. It lookes a little like fiber, no grains. It was bought in Germany.


Anyone recognizes the stuff? Thank you for hints!

Hope, it is not illegal

Cheers,
Georg

It could be Woodland Scenics brand (a train product) of Snow. It is made from micro-baloons and is light and fluffy. It makes pretty convincing dry, fluffy snow. I used it for a Korean War USMC dio.






Gino P. Quintiliani

Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!

HeavyArty's Showcase

thats about the best stuff on the market IMO. It's actually called Woodland Scenics soft flake.

Hello Georg, there is or was a product called Snow-Coat, it was sold by a company called the Small Shop (www.smallshopeu.com) but I'm not sure if either the product or the company are still around.

It was by far the most realistic snow simulation product for modelling, there was no discernable grain and it caught the light just like real fresh snow.

It was used on some of the best dioramas depicting snow two of which I can recall getting Golds at euro militaire (maybe that doesnt hold the benchmark it once did but thats another story already well trodden on this forum).

There was a post on here recently from some one trying to find the product and I think it might still be available in the States, hopefully someone else can help you with more up to date information.

Dean

Try this

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=1603

In my experience, Snowcoat is great for replicating thick, heavy, wet snow since it covers everything thickly. For thin, dry, fluffy snow, the WS Snow can't be beat. It depends on which effect you are looking to achieve.

As to what contest winners have on them, I don't really use that as a measure of a good product or not. From what I have experienced, most contests are biased and not really a great measure of what is best or not.

Gino P. Quintiliani

Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!

HeavyArty's Showcase

I don't know what you are using as Snow-Coat but it must be different from the product I have which was given to me by the guy who invented it.

If you look at the link I posted you will see the real Snow-coat is not as you describe.

I have seen Snow-Coat used by many of my friends most of whom are well known modellers and they all rate it as the best product for simulating snow of varying types but one must always be mindful such views will always be subjective.

If you are happy with the results you get with the other stuff then my post shouldnt interest you after all it was for Georg.

Dean

That looks just as good as the WS Snow. I thought it was a different product, which is like a watery paste, not dry and fluffy.

By the way, this is an open forum and all can respond/give comments. Don't get offeded by differing opinions. It is not a personal attack.

Gino P. Quintiliani

Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!

HeavyArty's Showcase

Snow Coat sounded so interesting that I just checked out the Small Shop website to see if they had Snow Coat in stock and I could not find it anywhere on the website, not even a note that it was out of stock...no mention at all...guess I will stick with Woodland Scenics...

S/F
Pat

the Snow Coat product is extremely similar to acrylic fingernail powder. You can buy it in droves at a cosmetic store, clear to replicate ice and white for snow. Just be sure to wear a mask as the particles are so tiny they wind up everywhere really fast!

all seem to replicate what (as a Canadian) i would call 'warm weather snow' - the big, fluffy flakes that fall when it is just below freezing. When it is really cold (say, Russian Steppe in January) the snow looks much finer (smaller crystals). I have used baking soda to replicate this effect fairly well.
(Note of caution: I have heard of people having baking soda snow yellow over time. I think this is particularly problematic in humid climates. Using a clear flat spray to 'fix' it to the base, I have not had this occur on my dioramas, though)
justin pockar

Justin is right about Baking Soda. Makes great light snow. Seal with a clear. Hudson and Allen make a very nice snow product as well!



Frank Blanton

"Fantasy Football,
Dungeons and Dragons for Jocks"

http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=TC3013

Unfortunately I'm not sure it's still being made.