Is It Really Necessary To Prewet Ballast Before Final Gluing - Model Railroader Magazine

rrebell:

That's why I asked the question as I have a lot to do and only did little bits before and it just wicks into the ballast, no float even though I use WS ballast.

rrebell,

I think you answered your own question in your original post in which you remarked, "This is a Question I have pondered as it doesn't seem to make a difference but maybe that is because my ballast is only a few grains deep as the contouring came from different materials".

The fact that your ballast is only a few grains deep is probably the reason that you do not need a wetting agent before gluing to prevent pooling.

I have tried all kinds of methods over the last 7 years as I ballasted sections of my layout with a 162 foot double mainline.  In my experience, the best, and only truly reliable, wetting agent is undiluted 70 percent isopropyl alcohol.  "Wet water", tap water with a few drops of liquid dtergent added, is a poor second choice, in my opinion.

The best glue for ballasting, again in my opinion and my experience, is a 50/50 mix of matte medium and water.

Rich