my layout base is 1" of white foam on top of 1/4" Luan. We babysat a cat and apparently the cat likes using the foam as a scratching post. It has added some texture to the base.
While I'm not really ready to start scenery, I'm thinking that a coating of brown (dirt) paint may dissuade the cat (in the future) and make the layout look a bit better. But I'm still not sure if i'd like to cut thru the base and add some elevation.
I've had to sand latex house paint and found that it is like rubber (hence the name) (maybe they are not all the same). I think something that is chalky, which if cut would just powder, instead of flaking or be rubbery.
It there any particular type of house paint that is better suited as a scenery base?
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Greg,Not to sound mean but,I would put a stop to that cat's scratching the layout because that won't stop once its up and running.
Years ago my wife's cat was walking on the layout and I finally had to end it when every car and locomotive was knocked over or askew on the tracks along with several buildings been knocked over.. Enough was enough.
A few shots from a squirt bottle filled with water ended her unwanted trespassing. Its humane and doesn't hurt the cat.
BTW..There wasn't a door on that storage room and I doubt if they made a interior door that wide.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
greg,
I wouldn't count on paint discouraging the cat from scratching the foam. It's a tactile, aural feedback thing that cats enjoy that keeps them coming back. Several spots around the house here show it...
Ultimately, a door is your best bet.
However, I can highly recommend a good base primer for over foam scenery, Zinsser 1-2-3. It's available in standard cans and in spray cans. I use it over foam first, then can paint over it with standard spray paint, to make 3D backdrops and scenery. So long as you get it over all the pink (or blue) to seal it will prevent the melting that usually occurs if you try that. Works for latex, too.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I agree with Mike: a door is the best bet. However, I'd choose the front door: leave it open until the cat leaves.
Wayne
the cat has returned to its new home. I'm sure my son will be using squirt bottle to train the cat in its new digs.
but i now have sections of foam that are torn up and I'd like to stabilize for now. I'm sure latex paint would provide a nice seal, but I still need to shape things.
i'll look at the Zinsser. I hadn't thought about using a primer.
I see woodland Scenics has a concentrated raw umber paint. I wonder if I could use it mixed with a white primer?
I fail to understand the problem/question. Any ''water'' base paint will cover and seal the foam. You can still do land forms, cut to go lower, caulk/glue to go higer
I use pink.blue,gray. and some white ,foam, never needed a primer.
I can't forsee any reason to sand anything, you really don't want smooth land.
As to the cat, you don't want to hear my thoughts.
i want to buy a quart of paint and paint all the foam on my layout. i'll build scenery on top and repaint
The Zinsser is good for filling small holes, cracks, claw marks...
Cat of LION will not even come inot the house vouluntarirly let alone find here way up to the train room.
LION built a cat house for her in a basement window well. LION lined it with 2" FIBERGLASS insulation with intergal tar paper facing. LION figured the cats would not go after the facing, but the LION was wrong, the cats loved the facing and eventually scratched it down to zero. Apparently the fiberglass itself did not even bother the felids, even though *I* want to take a shower after hnadling that stuff.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Go to your local hardware store or some other paint dealer and find a quart of paint that is sort of light brown, sand, tan that was rejected when mixed. It sells for much less and for a base color, "close enough" should do the job. It may even have the mix code on it, so you could get more later if need be.
Good luck,
Richard