habitat base question

[brazosboyt]

I am doing my first stutting turkey on a pedestal base. It's a merriams I shot in CO. I collected a bunch of pine straw/cones, etc. I know how to make the mud base, but was looking for some feedback on keeping all the leaf clutter on the base. It is going to be on an angle. Is their some type of silicon spray or something for holding it all together.

[endeavor]

Try a mix of elmers glue and water. If your habitat material is real heavy you may need to glue down the bigger pieces individually. But for the leaves and twigs and grass and such, just spray the base with a 2 parts water to 1 part elmers glue in a misting bottle.Scatter your material on the dampened base and then spray it again with an even coat to cover everything, that should lock it all down very well. Give it a shot.Good Luck.

[cattrax]

Get some Polyseamseal Clear caulk. Cut it with water. It will dissolve. Dip your leaves, etc. and place on your display. Save some to put in a spray bottle to spray the whole base to seal it. Not only sticks your leaves but protects as well. It looks milky white when mixed but dries clear. There may be other caulks that work but I know Polyseamseal definately will dissolve in water. Some don't.

[blacktail]

Cattrax could a clear silicon be substituted? I am doing a base for a flying turkey. was planing on using silicon and water mix to seal and glue things down with.

[cattrax]

I don't think silicone will mix with water. If in doubt, try just a little and see if it will dissolve. You'll know pretty quick. The polyseamseal is worth the effort to find.

[blacktail]

Thanks Cat for jogging the memory bank. Silicon reacts with water and cures faster. See the simple silicon mold post. Almost a big oppss on my part. I will look for the caulk. Thanks again for the tip.

[Lone Wolf Taxidermy]

You can't use silicon for this as it won't mix with water and 100 % silicon is condensation cure not air dry. You can mix acrylic paint with the silicon as a catylist and it will set in minutes. See this post in casting and molding -- Making a simple mold in silicone caulk (photo tutorial) « 1 2 3 4 5 »  by JKnuth.

Any Latex or acrylic caulk that dries clear can be thinned with water and sprayed from a bottle to cover and glue down your habitat. I have always used the elmers glue ( 60-w/40-g mix ) with great results. Hope this helps.

[jeremy]

How about Modge Podge at any craft store. calley morris used it in one of his breakthrough articles on his base

[4Horn]

The water and glue mix has worked well for me. After I get the leave clutter glued down I spray another coat of glue mix on and lightly apply a small amount of dirt over the leaves. This adds depth and makes it more natural. Habitats are fun so try diffrent methods until you find the best that works for you. Good luck on your base !