frost

[Mustang 5.0]

Any ideas to make frost?

[born2shoot]

i havent tried it but you might want to try the glass frosting from a can for windows, but i do not know how it would turn out

[FreeSpirit (Wayne)]

the spray can snow will turn yellow in a shot time
try the snow from Vandykes with the water mist
if you want sparkly frost get the snow from Research you have to use spray glue can

[Dean]

What are you putting frost on. For grass and branches, I spray them with a contact spray and sprinkle shredded foam from one of the supply companies all  over it and I also hold the foam in my hand and blow the foam toward the sidees of the grass and branches.The foam will stick to the glued areas and give you a nice even crystal frosted look to everything. I've had scenery with frosted branches and grasses in the shop for over 17 years and still look great and no yellowing.

[trophybirds.com]

flocking will give you a frosted look.the styrofoam snow is designed to make the heavy solid snow.

[Dean]

Trophybirds, No offence but I disagree. Being your from Alabama you may not see as much frost as we do. In Minnesota we have some form of frost about 8 months of the year.The flocking method may look ok to some from a distance but up close it looks to fake and has an opaque color that isn't as natural looking.  Frost is moisture from water vapor that's in the air when the temps drop below freezing. That means ice crystals form on the grasses and branches. The shredded foam gives you the same crystallized look as real frost when applied correctly. To make snow that looks fluffy. Pull apart poly-batting used for quilting and padding. Tear it into the shape that you want it to fit. Don't cut it. That gives you a sharp edge. Tearing it gives you a greadual flow to the edge. Lightly  spray the surfaces with a clear contact spray, wait a minute and then lightly put it in place. Spray the batting with a layer of the same contact spray and while it's wet sprinkle the shredded foam on it. Gentley press it down to make sure it's making contact with the batting. Then spary several light coatings of fish gloss over it and lightly sprinkle a thin layers of foam in between coats. Do enough until you get it to where you want ot see it. That will give you a nice thick fluffy crystalized snow. The thicker and more seperated and fluffier you get the batting the thicker and fluffier the snow will look.  Winter scenes is a MInnesota thing that we see a lot of.

[Hoss.]

depending on what you are putting it on. i have use silver iridescent paint, watered down and with mixed with Water based gloss. then spray away.

[John Bellucci]

Over the years I've used the products carried by WASCO with fantastic results!  They have a product called Artificial Snow Flocking ... "This white flocking has a self-adhesive that is activated when it is combined with water. Perfect for creating light, fluffy snow effects."  If you apply it lightly, then hit it with a light spray -- a "spritz" -- of water, it firms up and looks like frost that forms for many reasons. 

I first used it on a big ass Raccoon mount I did called "Frosty Paws".  A raccoon standing on snow, had his front paws break through some snow covered ice, they got wet, and frost formed on his front feet ... "Frosty Paws"!  It was the first time I ever used anything like that directly on animal fur, and it looked great! 

Mounted on a Peter Knapton mannikin, sold by Coombs Classics.  This was shot with the Raccoon "under glass" ... I'll post the better "studio shot" as soon as I find it.  You should be able to make out the frost on his paws.  The Artificial Snow Flocking was also used to frost the bunch of grass in front, the large piece of brush weed and pine "sprig" behind the Raccoon, and on the twig at the bottom of the scene.  It works very well!  And unlike simply "dusting" the mount or habitat with some powdery substance, the flocking becomes permanent.  An added plus!

The snow for the mount's habitat was built over a hand-formed urethane base, covered with sheet cotton, sprayed with 3-M adhesive, after which WASCO Artificial Snow was sprinkle on top.  More adhesive, more snow, until the desired layer was achieved, then a sprinkle of their Diamond Dust re-created the "sparkle" of new-fallen snow. It produces a very realistic effect. 

I have since use the frost technique on many other mammals, and not just on their feet and paws!  I've done squirrels, foxes, coons, coyotes, etc., where I wanted snow on part of the animal ... legs, head, face, wherever.  I first apply the water activated Snow Flocking in a very light layer over which I then apply a light dusting of the Artificial Snow.  This gives the snow on the fur that light airy look, but without the look of just foam dust you would get, without giving it a base.

The Snow Flocking has taken the place of plaster dust applied and secured as was done in Museum preparations of old.  It really works well!

Good luck to you!

John.

[John Bellucci]

This is one example of how frost was applied to a museum mount waaaay back in the day!  This is a Siberian Tiger from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. 


Plaster was the main habitat ingredient for snow back then, as well as other items.  But it was plaster that was put onto the animal's fur, then sprayed with water to "set" it.

This picture is from a post card I've had since I was 12-years old ... and it recently came through a flood a lot worse for wear.  I've been working on restoring it, mostly to test my skills in that department.  So far, so good, but the first chance I get to get back there, I'm buying a whole new set of "Giant Postcards"!

Anyway, I just thought you'd be interested to see another example of "Frosty Paws" as it were!

Oh, by the way, this Tiger makes a brief appearance in a new TV ad for Sprint, as do many other mounts from the American Musem of Natural History!

John.

[Bobbi Meyer]

love the snarl and slight head cock to that tiger

[canes17]

i use the same stuff you do Lordrusty it works great i bought the the applicator with it it didn't work very good so i use a coffee can to shake it on .