Built basic benchwork of 1x3's and pink foam, should I paint it now ?

[Anonymous]

I'm building a shelf layout. I just finshed the basic benchwork of 1x3"s and a top of 1" Pink Foam. I will be using Woodland Scenics Grades etc but for now while it's a simple flat 10' x 10' x 2' L shape should I lay down a base coat of some neutral earth tone, something to hide the pink ? Thanks, Dave

[Anonymous]

Are you going to add scenery contours? If you are, wait to paint it until that bit is done. Depending on how you will attach scenery, you may need to even wait until you have layed track if you are going to use the paint to hold the ground foam or similar material in place.
Reed

[jkeaton]

I would go ahead and paint it - use a flat latex paint, don't paint too heavily, and then you can always go back and cut through the paint for later scenery work, or add another coat of paint for holding scenery texture. Painting over the garish pink foam and barren benchwork is particularly important if there are other people in the house who aren't "into trains" as much as you are. A simple coat of earth tone paint makes the benchwork much more presentable to non model railroaders. (I know that I'll be painting as I build, 'cause my wife's already made it clear that she doesn't like the bare benchwork look - given that she'll help with the painting (and the backdrop - hurray! - she's a good artist), covering the bare wood, plaster and foam with a little earth tone paint is a simple compromise. And, benchwork does look better painted!

[Anonymous]

First, think about what you are going to put on top of that 1st layer of foam. Are you planning to glue more foam down on top? Will the adhesives you plan to use stick to the paint?

Wayne

[nfmisso]

Dave;

Paint it as kjeaton suggests. Use Aleene's Tacky Glue, which will stick to the painted surfaces.

For the color, I suggest something close to the earth color in the area you are modelling. Get it from the bargin bin/rejects. Later when you super-detail the area you can use artists paints to add more color and texture, along with other scenery materials.

In addition, the latex paint will protect the foam from accidental spill of solvent based products.