Using Silkspan to model tar-paper roofing

[chutton01]

In the June 2004 Model Railroad, Lionel Strang constructed a simple brick garage in the "Workin' on the Railroad" column (well, finished - it was a 2 part column). He used silkspan to represent tar paper roofing, and wrote simply that he cut the silkspan into 3ft wide strips (standard tar paper roll width), and "painted" the silkspan onto the roof with Polly Scale Tarnished Black paint.
OK, since my current methods of representing tar paper roofing (which is very common for flat roofs of small businesses in the North East) using masking tape or painted tissue paper leave much to be desired, who here has tried this and what are the results (I only bring it up, because scanning the web indicates that most Airplane modellers using silkspan first coat their surfaces with nitrate dope first - he obviously didn't).

[FJ and G]

I use tar paper to model tar paper. The slight thickness isn't noticeable in O scale and it looks like tar paper. Sorry I didn't answer the question but at least brought it up to top for you.

Dave Vergun

[orsonroy]

I've always used either masking tape or tissue paper to represent tar paper roofs (generally called "ready roofing" on railroad blueprints). It looks good, the methods are cheap enough, and no special or odd materials/techniques are required.

[Anonymous]

Having been a model avaition nut for many years, I have to tell you that silk span and tissue are pretty similar. However, silk span is tougher. I have silk span left over from my airplane days and use it regularly as a roofing material. It is porous and allows the paint to penetrate through and bond the silk span to the subroofing layer. It gives a good texture, similar to tar paper or rolled roofing. Airplane modelers using butyrate or nitrate dope on the balsa framework is to seal the framework and bond the silk span to the wood, previously to its' being shrunk with sprayed water. This is not necessary when used as roofing. Simply lay the silk span out on the roof and paint it down. After the paint has thoroughly dried, trim the edges, if needed and your done!

[Anonymous]

Go to the hardware and get yourself some coarse black sandpaper sheets.

For a stone base roof I use the brown sheets.

So simple, so cheap.

[chutton01]

Well, thanks to all.
I stopped by the hobby shop, checked out the silkspan prices, and realized that's a bit more than I wanted to pay.

So, I'm back with my usual choices:
Masking Tape
Painted Tissue Paper
And painted sandpaper.

At least these are pretty decently price.