A simple and effective way to ballast...

[RobertInOntario]

You can use isopropyl alcohol, available in a 50% mix at the Dollar Store.,as the wetting agent for this type of situation. Surface tension is almost non-existant, and it will make sure that the glue mix goes where it needs to without oversoaking.
Andrew

Wayne,

This is an excellent review. I can now do ballasting pretty fast and easily, although my results don't look as neat as yours!

BTW, I use the isopropyl alcohol as Andrew mentions. I first saw this recommended in a MR article by Joe Fugate. The alcohol really seems to hold the ballast in place -- no worries at all about the ballast/glue mix moving around or running. ... Having said that, maybe I will still try the dish soap water mix as well. I just handn't tried this because the alcohol method seemed to work so well and I thought "if it ain't broke don't fix it!"

Thanks, Rob