I am in the process of flocking bases (200+).  I find that over time the flock gets knocked off so the base begins to look a bit thread-bare.  Do people have any tips on treating the flock to keep it in place?

Hairspray, or very watered down PVA, although this may change the look of the flock - experimentation will be needed

My flocking method is as follows.

Finish painting the figures, varnish, mount on base finish any other scenic detail.

Wait until any varnishes, glues and other sticky things are completely dry.

Apply a thick coat of PVA glue on the areas to be flocked. Use an old paintbrush.

Tip your flock into a deep container.

Hold the base firmly and 'scoop' up the flock onto the PVA's areas. It may take more than one 'scoop' to get a good coverage.

Turn the base upside down in the container and tap the base to make any unattached flock to fall back into the container.

Put the base aside to dry.

You can see some of my 'flocked' bases here:

https://jim-duncan.blogspot.com/2021/06/wargames-factory-recent-units.html



Jim

Water down the pca before applying, it helps the flock before the first dip too.

I have now started to matt spray varnish* the whole base, once I've attached the flock with PVA using a static applicator & let it dry thoroughly (ideally overnight).
 
I started doing this with snow-basing as the stuff just wouldn't stay on. It seems to be working so far, with grass as well as snow.
BTW - I obviously do all the usual stuff like painting & double varnishing (1st gloss, then Matt) the figures, putting on base and adding basing material and static grass/snow 1st.

ALSO WARNING: do not try spray undercoating or varnishing in the current UK heatwave.
I have just had to Dettol strip a recent batch of 28mm figures, that turned out very 'furry', as the spray primer particles were drying and clumping in mid-air     

Quote from: Big Insect on 07 July 2025, 07:04:29 PMALSO WARNING: do not try spray undercoating or varnishing in the current UK heatwave.

Heatwave! That's a laugh.

It got to 38 degrees here in Bristol last week - and in the UK in July (normally it's cold & pouring with rain) that's as close as we get to a heat wave     

I brush on multiple coats of my sealant (3 parts clear craft glue to seven parts denatured alcohol, and a drop of liquid soap; stir, don't shake.). A soft brush disrupts the base less.

Quote from: Big Insect on 08 July 2025, 10:39:56 AMIt got to 38 degrees here in Bristol last week - and in the UK in July (normally it's cold & pouring with rain) that's as close as we get to a heat wave     

18 here today, as good as we get.

My method

Put on audio - I like R4 comedy

Cover base in pva.

drop of superglue on figure base

Position

When base full, push into pile of flock (at least 5 mm) from two or 3 different directions

Leave 24 hours or more

Shake excess flock off

Leave some more.

Many thanks for the suggestions. 

I already use a grass bath (a {very} old tobacco tin) to sprinkle on the grass.  The common theme seems to be PVA so evidently that should be the next stage.    I am just wondering how to apply it without disturbing the existing flock!  A watered down solution is a very interesting tip as it should then flow easily.

The other option that looks interesting is the application of matt varnish to the whole base and figure for protection.

I use a cheap plastic pippette from Amazon to distribute PVA on bases with figures already glued on. This should work well to allow you to drip the watered down PVA on

Quote18 here today, as good as we get.

How about now? 

24 today but gone by tomorrow.

Am currently in Yorkshire at 24.

Bikenhead is showing 30 atm, lowesst today was 20ish