Personally I would paint the plywood and supports to match the wall, then the emphasis would be on the trains and scenery items ..
and a little extra support on that corner curve may be a good recommendation, either a wire from the ceiling or a piece of wood moulding glued / screwed to the underneath, which ever looks better to you
You could support that span from the cieling.
Place a hook in the cieling joist and run a cable (cieling tile grid supports) down to the shelf for support.
The hook can stay when you move.
Steve
If you wNt it to look nice a stain is good. Then cover with a water based poly urethane. Makes it easy to remove dust. Seals well. Keep in mind cleaning. Dust sitting on shelf. Does become dirt on track.
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
robkoz SouthPenn Nice work. You could use Kiltz. It's made to seal wood and act as a primer. Comes in water based or oil based. That vent isn't going to knock your rolling stock off the tracks when the heat and/or A/C is running is it? Thanks. I was thinking about that and I already have a solution. I could build a baffle. Is this appropriate?http://www.homedepot.com/p/KILZ-MAX-Clear-1-gal-Water-Based-Interior-Primer-Sealer-and-Stainblocker-L200401/204336261As for that turn, I'll figure something out. Thanks guys.
SouthPenn Nice work. You could use Kiltz. It's made to seal wood and act as a primer. Comes in water based or oil based. That vent isn't going to knock your rolling stock off the tracks when the heat and/or A/C is running is it?
Nice work.
You could use Kiltz. It's made to seal wood and act as a primer. Comes in water based or oil based.
That vent isn't going to knock your rolling stock off the tracks when the heat and/or A/C is running is it?
I have used Kilz over the years for all kinds of projects. Should work great for your plywood.
I would definitely seal the wood. Since the plywood is attractive, use a clear sealant.
Quick and dirty solution to the long corner span. Run a steel stud across the underside, C side facing the wall, spanning from wall to wall about 2" short of the bracket on each end. Leave a little 'ear' at each end so you can screw vertically into the plywood. Then screw the top flange of the stud to the plywood about every 12 inches. The stud can be primed and painted for a finished appearance.
The same technique can be used to tame any incipient roller coaster action anywhere along the shelf.
The nicest thing about steel? Humidity, wazzat?
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - on steel stud benchwork)
I would definitely seal the wood.
I think that corner is going to sag over time if you don't add additional supports. I'd mount a pair of them at right angles off that corner beam, and then run a horizontal support (1x2 should suffice) between the brackets along the center of the curve.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
A stain is only a coloring agent.
If you want to seal it, I would recommend an oil based flat white primer. If you can still find it. Two coats and sand in the middle.
I suspect it's unnecessary, though.
Ed
I used 1/2" 7 ply birch for the layout. I left small gaps between the sections for expansion during high humidity. Before I lay the track, do you recommend staining or sealing? And if so, what should I use?
I have as many brackets as I could possibly attach to the wall except for this one spot near the AC vent. This is one continuous section. I would like to throw another support bracket under there. Might have to search for an oversized one that I can bolt to the stud to the right of that vent. I'm up for any advise before I permanently attach them to the brackets and lay the track. Thanks.