Drying sand for use in modelling?

[herzlos]

I'm sure I've seen mention of people drying sand for modelling uses, but I can't find it now so I'm starting this thread

Do you bother to dry sand out before you use it? How dry do you want it and how do you go about it?

I've just taken some building sand from the garden (leftover from some landscaping) and and put it fairly thinly spread in a shallow tub, with the intention of just leaving it in the house to dry out for a while, and I'll revisit it at the weekend.

[MediumAl]

Hi - that will work, but you might want to get finer sand than that. Playpit sand is the best I've found.

Coarse sand might be worth looking at if you want larger grains, If you want a more pebble effect, look at Budgie grit in your local pet shop.

Al

[Parus Ater]

I've seen people on forum who present themselves as elites claiming only to use kiln dried sand for modelling. I really can't see what that would do since every thing I can think of you doing with sand involves it getting wet with something. All the sand I've ever used has come from the beach.

[carvel2]

I have been known to put stuff I've collected from Longridge fell in the oven when i'm in a rush for sprinkling the stuff...but not when Mrs Carvel is about

[Stuart]

I've never dried sand, apart from the fact that the missus would kill me it seems a bit pointless as you can buy it dry, I bought a 5kg bag of Chinchilla sand (extremely fine) about four years ago for £2 and have used it on about 1000 figs and still have about half left.

[herzlos]

Chinchilla sand is a good idea, I might keep an eye out for some

I'm just using the builders sand because I've got plenty here and it's for a wall render on some scenery and it being a bit rough isn't a problem. For figure basing I might try for something finer though.

What's the benefit in drying it anyway? So it's easier to work with? to avoid any issues with moisture under varnish?

[Parus Ater]

There isn't any that I can think of. You don't want damps sand, though so leaving it to dry is a good idea but kiln dried?! Pfft!

[Centurion Dan]

Using dried sand means that it doesn't clump together and mixes better with pva or paint

[carvel2]

@Stuart...£2???? An outrageous extravegance

[Parus Ater]

Using dried sand means that it doesn't clump together and mixes better with pva or paint

Aye but kiln dried? I stick mine in a vitalite tub and put it on the boiler. "Dry" is good enough.