New Look

[Anonymous]

I am building several structures, including Walther's Saw Mill, and want to update them to a more modern look. What kinds of techniques can I use (e.g., can I somehow fill in the woodgrain on some of the sidings?) Any suggestions would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure that sawmills get to be more modern... at least not the backwoods kind.

This is a neat article about what to do with your brick structures that would have been built at the turn (of the last century, i.e. ~1900-1920):

http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/001/655jkmpv.asp

For other structures, try these ideas:

- Brick up windows and doors, or cut new ones in the middle of previously blank walls.
- Make an addition (or two or three) out of different materials, like metal siding.
- Paint the brickwork.
- Put signs over windows.
- Put more modern signs on walls - billboards used to be painted right on the brick, but now are usually glued to plywood structures.
- Add things like gas or electric meters, window air conditioners, security cameras, or modern style lights, satellite dishes.
- Leave things around or near the building that indicate it is a modern era, even if the building is old - recycling bins, dumpsters, modern fire hydrants, modern streetlights, modern vehicles, Identifiably "modern" people (e.g. kids on skateboards, not your generic "guy in a suit")

Don't forget about weathering - the same building from 1920 will be much more weathered, in addition to all the other changes, in 1990 than when it was new.

I am sure there are many other ideas, but I hope that helps you.

Andrew

[Anonymous]

Depending on the era your modernizing into you could try aluminum or vinyl siding!

[Anonymous]

Some of your suggestions sound pretty good. The model is not really backwoods (Walther's Mountain Lumber Company Sawmill), but wood contruction of some of the buildings doesn't fit with the '90s and I was looking for a way to remove the woodgrain without having to purchase different siding and cut to shape.
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by newtsonk

wood contruction of some of the buildings doesn't fit with the '90s and I was looking for a way to remove the woodgrain without having to purchase different siding and cut to shape.

Turn the pieces around, show the inside smooth side, then you can easily use filler paint to cover the standard imperfections (after filing off any nubs, heck could even use the filler paint on the woodgrain side), then prime and paint and you'll have a nice cement wall.

Jay