tar paper

[snowey]

I saw somewhere (maybe on here) a suggestion about using fine-grade sandpaper as tarpaper for the roof on a structure. But, do you think this would work in N scale, without it looking oversized?[?]

[jrbarney]

Snowey,
This might not satisfy a purist, but why not buy some black tissue paper at a craft store, cut in strips of the appropriate width, and use glossy black paint for tar at the seams ? The tissue paper will appear realistically faded if it's the same brand I have. I believe the sandpaper is used to simulate a "built up" roof where gravel is applied over brushed on tar, but fortunately I've never had to be a roofer.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Mark300]

We do this alot in modeling architectural buildings, I don't see why it wouldn't work at N scale. Most aggregate used in modern roofing is light in color; white or tan.

Using sand paper is alot cleaner than trying to apply light sand or aggregate/ballast to simulate the texture found on most built up or ballasted single-ply roofs.

Remember, roofs receiving this kind of covering are truly flat; 1/4"/foot to maybe 1" in 12 feet. Metal standing-seam for roofs 1 in 12 to 3 in 12. Shingles, tiles or slate for steeper roofs.

HTH

Mark

[CNJ831]

Most tar paper is rough-surfaced but not gritty in appearance like sandpaper. Short of using something like #600 grit, I don't think it will capture the right "feel". In N scale, tar paper would appear dull but quite smooth. Very thin typing paper, like that formerly used for airmail letters, painted grimmy black, is a good substitute but such thin/lightweight paper is becoming progressively harder to fine. You might try tissue wrapping paper, painted similarly, as it has some fine texture and takes paint fairly well. It can either be painted first and glued on, or the reverse.

CNJ831

[orsonroy]

I generally use masking tape to represent tarpaper. I've tried the tissue paper technique too, but it's generally a pain to apply, and likes to bubble up with too much paint.

[Sperandeo]

Builders in Scale sells some really nice HO scale tarpaper – it could be used in other scales too, I'm sure. It's black on one side and red on the other, so it's doubly useful. I like to first cover the roof with double-faced tape, then cut the Builders in Scale tarpaper into scale-size strips and press them onto the tape.

I don't know if Builders in Scale has a Web site, but the address is P. O. Box 460025, Aurora, CO 80046-0025, telephone [phone].

So long,

Andy

[jrbarney]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sperandeo

Builders in Scale sells some really nice HO scale tarpaper – it could be used in other scales too, I'm sure. It's black on one side and red on the other, so it's doubly useful. I like to first cover the roof with double-faced tape, then cut the Builders in Scale tarpaper into scale-size strips and press them onto the tape.

I don't know if Builders in Scale has a Web site, but the address is P. O. Box 460025, Aurora, CO 80046-0025, telephone [phone].

So long,

Andy

Andy and Snowey,
Yes, Builders In Scale does have a Web site. Here's the link for the tar paper:
http://www.builders-in-scale.com/bis/parts-tar.html
They also have shingles for your other roofing needs. I thought that B.T.S. was the outfit that offered the tar paper, but my memory had slipped a cog.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[DSchmitt]

Take a lookat this company's products

http://www.papercreek.com/

[CBQ_Guy]

You also may want to try cutting black construction paper into strips and deciding if you like the look of it.

Not recommending necessarily, just suggesting another possible option.

[Anonymous]

FYI - Tar paper is not a finish roofing material. It is always used underneath shingles, mineral rolls, and hot tar pours on flat roofs. I suspect everyone is referring to mineral roll roofing. Tar paper is just that --- paper.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rororo

FYI - Tar paper is not a finish roofing material. It is always used underneath shingles, mineral rolls, and hot tar pours on flat roofs. I suspect everyone is referring to mineral roll roofing. Tar paper is just that --- paper.

Correct. When modeling a flat, built-up roof, the grit in the sandpaper is to represent the aggregate such as gravel whose purpose is to protect the butumen beneath from the sun and weather and add fire-resistance to the surface.

Wayne