Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

zip texturing

6309 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 6:01 PM
I echo Rob's thoughts on zip texturing. It was state of the art at one point, but now has receded into the background. Try out the Woodland Scenic stains for scenery or make your own acrylic washes. Check out Dave Frary's scenery book, forget the title, but it is very good. The WS video tape - Model Scenery Made Easy - is very good and not cheap, but is a good visual reference as to what to do. WS flogs their products but fortunately they are over all very good products; learn their "leopard spot" technique, it will work very well.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 6:01 PM
I echo Rob's thoughts on zip texturing. It was state of the art at one point, but now has receded into the background. Try out the Woodland Scenic stains for scenery or make your own acrylic washes. Check out Dave Frary's scenery book, forget the title, but it is very good. The WS video tape - Model Scenery Made Easy - is very good and not cheap, but is a good visual reference as to what to do. WS flogs their products but fortunately they are over all very good products; learn their "leopard spot" technique, it will work very well.
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,426 posts
Posted by dknelson on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 8:07 AM
Zip texturing, which Linn Westcott introduced in the mid 1960s, used dried powdered pigments mixed I think with plaster over wet plaster or wet paint. It did a very good job of creating certain effects and was superior to the then-common method of using sawdust colored green or brown. It may be worth exploring for certain dry effects but for grassy or weedy areas I'd use the new(er) ground foam methods.
Dave Nelson
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,426 posts
Posted by dknelson on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 8:07 AM
Zip texturing, which Linn Westcott introduced in the mid 1960s, used dried powdered pigments mixed I think with plaster over wet plaster or wet paint. It did a very good job of creating certain effects and was superior to the then-common method of using sawdust colored green or brown. It may be worth exploring for certain dry effects but for grassy or weedy areas I'd use the new(er) ground foam methods.
Dave Nelson
  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,455 posts
Posted by wp8thsub on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 10:44 PM
If zip texturing is your thing, go for it, but...

Scenery methods introduced since the old Linn Westcott advocacy of zip texturing have surpassed the technique in realism and durability. Even if you followed the directions exactly, zip textured scenery was likely to turn powdery. Subsequent developments, including the introduction of ground foam products and using layers of real dirt and rocks (held in place with diluted glue or matte medium) as base scenery texture over the plaster/foam base create far superior results to anything zip texture can hope to achieve.

I've seen several examples of zip texture scenery in person and it doesn't do much for me. Investigate more up to date methods (and maybe visit a few layouts completed with them) before finishing your scenery.

Rob Spangler

  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,455 posts
Posted by wp8thsub on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 10:44 PM
If zip texturing is your thing, go for it, but...

Scenery methods introduced since the old Linn Westcott advocacy of zip texturing have surpassed the technique in realism and durability. Even if you followed the directions exactly, zip textured scenery was likely to turn powdery. Subsequent developments, including the introduction of ground foam products and using layers of real dirt and rocks (held in place with diluted glue or matte medium) as base scenery texture over the plaster/foam base create far superior results to anything zip texture can hope to achieve.

I've seen several examples of zip texture scenery in person and it doesn't do much for me. Investigate more up to date methods (and maybe visit a few layouts completed with them) before finishing your scenery.

Rob Spangler

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Guelph, Ont.
  • 1,476 posts
Posted by BR60103 on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 9:19 PM
The information should also be available in Bill MacClanahan's book "Scenery for Model Railroads" (the revised edition) (if you can still get it) or Dave Frary's "Realistic Model railroad Scenery".

--David

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Guelph, Ont.
  • 1,476 posts
Posted by BR60103 on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 9:19 PM
The information should also be available in Bill MacClanahan's book "Scenery for Model Railroads" (the revised edition) (if you can still get it) or Dave Frary's "Realistic Model railroad Scenery".

--David

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 1,132 posts
Posted by jrbarney on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 6:44 PM
Go to the Index of Magazines page of this site, use the search engine with the term "zip texturing," note the three citations that are returned. Then order reproduced copies from either NMRA Kalmbach Memorial Library or MRR itself.
"Time flies like an arrow - fruit flies like a banana." "In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." --German proverb
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 1,132 posts
Posted by jrbarney on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 6:44 PM
Go to the Index of Magazines page of this site, use the search engine with the term "zip texturing," note the three citations that are returned. Then order reproduced copies from either NMRA Kalmbach Memorial Library or MRR itself.
"Time flies like an arrow - fruit flies like a banana." "In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." --German proverb
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
zip texturing
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 4:32 PM
Model Railroader published an article back in the 70's on zip texturing, giving the recipes to create various landscape colors. Does anyone have access to those recipes?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
zip texturing
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 4:32 PM
Model Railroader published an article back in the 70's on zip texturing, giving the recipes to create various landscape colors. Does anyone have access to those recipes?

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!