Layout Coloring?

[Anonymous]

I am new to model trains and am trying to start a layout. I have a book on scenary so I know how to make things like hills and trees, but it doesn't say what to cover the board with. I know you must fill it with things like plants and such but the board I'm building on will still show through. What do you cover it with so it looks like ground? Thanks!

[BRAKIE]

I paint my layout board brown then add ground cover such as grass and weeds.I also paint my hills brown.After you apply the ground cover,you should not see the brown paint.The good part if you miss a small spot the brown paint makes up for it.

[BR60103]

Unless you're modelling a caricature of the prairies, you don't want your scenery too flat. Usually we put some low contours on using the same techniques as for mountains or just spread plaster over it and cover that with paint and ground foam or whatever.
--David

[Anonymous]

THANKS!! That is exactly the answer I'm looking for! What kind of paint do you use? Will any basic wood paints work?

[snowey]

I use latex paint, because it's water-based, so cleanup is easy, and ther's no odor.

[Anonymous]

I agree, you're not modeling a pool table. You might try adding some water-based paint, latex or whatever, to the plaster mix so that any future chips and nicks won't stand out so much. Try a small test batch first, though, to make sure the paint doesn't affect anything, like the plaster not getting hard!

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I am going to Home Depot this weekend so I'll be sure to pic some up. In my book it recamends "Woodland Scenics Lightwieght Hydrocal" For plaster, but I whould have to guess its very expensive. What plasters work well?

[BR60103]

I use Pollyfilla usually. The scenery books suggest the Hydocal for a base (light but strong) and a softer plaster for the surface details.
Use one you feel comfortable with if you've done other plaster work.
One to avoid is plaster of paris -- it sets up so fast you can't do anything with it.

[Anonymous]

If you're not planning on building whole mountains with the stuff, you might consider using Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty instead of plaster.

[Anonymous]

if you are making mountains,use stirform,glue together ,till you get right highth,then paint brown or what ever color you want for cover,then for grass or other ground cover,water down elmer's glue & spray on,then put your cover on,we also use elmer's glue from glue bottle on bottom of our tree's,then if they get bumped,they will fall over with out breaking>>>>>have fun.....HUB

[douginut]

there are bags of hydrocal at Home Depot and other good things. I was also noticing that you were going to get some paint too. In every Home Depot there is a HUGE display of paint chips and a natural lighting to simulate every kind of light you will have. My suggestion to you is that you take a color picture from a magazine or two of the kind of terrain that you want to model. Then compare the color chips under the lights at the store with the pictures to get just the look you are looking for.

Doug, in Utah