bluenose2 Posted July 2, 2014 Share #1 Posted July 2, 2014 Hi Les here. I am having a struggle making up the ropes that lay over the belaying pins. I have a source that has pins on a block so that they bend as if coiled around a belaying pin. However when I apply glue to hold the shape they are stiff and look as if they have been dipped in goo. Is there a way to make these up and have the ropes not look like they have been waxed to death? Many thanx Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted July 2, 2014 Share #2 Posted July 2, 2014 Les, try painting them with diluted PVA glue. Just dilute with water about 50% and see how it goes. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenose2 Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted July 2, 2014 Thank you. I have tried that approach and ca glue also. Both make the rope look wet and don't let it return to it's natural colour. Is that acceptable for rigging up a ship? Thanx Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted July 2, 2014 Share #4 Posted July 2, 2014 What sort of thread are you using, Les? Dilute PVA is usually invisible when it dries. John bluenose2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wefalck Posted July 2, 2014 Share #5 Posted July 2, 2014 (edited) It is an almost unavoidable physical phenomenon that wood or ropes darken in colour when soaked in something, be it water, glue or varnish. The liquid changes the way how light is reflected out of the pores. So the answer is to use as little as possible and to try to avoid soaking it completely. I am using fast drying solvent-based matt varnish for the purpose. This has the advantage that you can soften it with a drop of solvent in case you are not satisfied with what you did. Using PVA or CA, you basically have only one shot. The wetting properties of solvent-based varnish are also better than those of (diluted) PVA. Edited July 2, 2014 by wefalck bluenose2 1 Quote wefalck panta rhei - Everything is in flux Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
testazyk Posted July 2, 2014 Share #6 Posted July 2, 2014 Hi Les-- I can't seem to paste the link in but recently there was a thread here that might help called "making rope coils" Search on it and you should be able to find it. It shows a nice technique for making the ropes and once you get them positioned a light coating of PVA glue should hold them. It might darken the thread a bit but shouldn't affect the texture. Good luck! bluenose2 1 Quote Tom Current: Sergal Sovereign of the Seas Previous builds: AL Swift, AL King of the Mississippi, Mamoli Roter Lowe, Amati Chinese Junk, Caesar, Mamoli USS Constitution, Mantua HMS Victory, Panart San Felipe, Mantua Sergal Soleil Royal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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