I've been looking into an alternative to pipecleaners for smoke from burning vehicles and the like. I was in Hobbycraft the other day and saw this stuff - wadding - for £1.79 a metre.
It has a great opaque feel and I'm sure when its sprayed and painted it will do the job. It cuts really well and holds the shape and could also be used instead of the traditional cotton wool for Napoleonic / 18th C cannon smoke.
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| All this wadding for £1.79! Pound coin in the middle for scale. |