I purchased a model railroad many years ago and have just started to work on it. I am at a loss as to the type of material covering the plywood base. It appears to be very light wieght, gray in color, and has fibers similar to ground news paper. Does anyone have any idea what this is?
Welcome to the forum. Sounds like paper mache, basaically glue and paper munched up and gooed on. Makes a fair, cheap and messy scenery. There are other materials that are easier and work better, but what you have may be a good place to start. How else can we help?
Art,
I checked out paper mache on google and found that it could be made with cellulose and white glue. This looks like it could be it. Thanks for pointing me in that direction. I'm new to model railroading so could you give me the name of some of the products that are better.
Dave
P.S. You have an awesome layout!
Thanks for the compliment. That is an example of what can be done with little artistic talent and A LOT of patience.
Other scenery ideas I have discovered in the last three years.
For a little bit of scenery fast and easy, Woodland Scenics plaster cloth is really nice and not too pricey for a small layout. My LHS oaned me the video and I learned how to do it. All my early scenery was that. I also learned to do plaster casts to go with the plaster cloth.
When I decided in the large mountins and canyon, I turned to pink (blue) styrofoam from dumpsters around construction sites. I fell in love with it. I was just working on a new piece laast night and learned some new things. What I like about it is:
1. The mess cleans up with a shop vac.
2. You can't make a mistake, because if you don't like something, you can just dig out some more foam and try again. If you are interested in foam scenery, I will be glad to talk some more about it. I am putting together a workshop for my local NMRA Divisiuon, but it may not make it to the forum. There are others who have already done better.
3. Trees plant in it nicely
4. I think, for a non artist, I get better scenery than with plaster or ceiling tile or paper mache or anything thing else I have tried. For a true artist, carving plaster and using rock molds produce better cliffs, but I don't have the skill.
5. The only tools you need are a LOW TEMP hot glue gun, a serrated steak knife and a small wire brush. I paint with tube acrylics and sometimes use my version of ground goop.
If you want to talk more, continue here of email me dirrect.
Art
Here's some commercial version of that stuff.http://www.amaco.com/prodcat-modeling-compounds-114.htmlSculptimold and Claycrete work really good.
A cheaper version of paper mache is the use of flower and last weeks news paper.
of course you shred the paper into strips. Then mix water and flower until the consitancy of cream (or a little thicker). simply dip the paper in the "paste" then lightly slide your fingers down the length. Then apply to your scenery.
A cheaper version of paper mache is the use of flower and last weeks news paper. of course you shred the paper into strips. Then mix water and flower until the consitancy of cream (or a little thicker). simply dip the paper in the "paste" then lightly slide your fingers down the length. Then apply to your scenery.
About 30 years ago I made used some Paper mache on a layout and had problems with mold. It was in a basement, which may have contributed to the problem, but I have not used paper mache since.
Edit-- I have read adding salt to the mix will help with the mold issue.
Mold - For about everything but plaster, add some lysol.