4X8 layout base - basic help

[Anonymous]

We currently have our layout set up on a sheet of OSB covered by "grass paper" with framing underneath.  I am about to re-do the entire layout.  The green paper is a pain to deal with.  It tears easily, buckles and the people fall over, etc..   While the track is up, do you recommend any other bases to put on top of the OSB? (which can also be very noisy - or so I have been told by the boss...)   I saw one sight where they used a 1" sheet of insulation styrofoam.    I am also ditching the paper.  Any recommendations for a decent color base material before I lay the track back down?

[wrmcclellan]

Hedda - foam is good. Make sure you use an adhesive like Liquid Nails for Projects Latex based. Spread the adhesive on the OSB using one of those serated grout spreaders for setting tile. You will also need a lot of weight on top of the foam to set it in the adhesive.

You could also use 2x4 ft ceiling tiles set upside down.

Go to Home Depot or Lowes and see if you can get a can of "OOPS" paint which usually comes out some shade of brown. These can be had for $8 or less depending on the level of "OOPS".

Use the paint to "prime" the surface and let it dry. Before you apply the 2nd coat, get some Woodland Scenics or Scenic Express ground foam grass colors (the bags go a long way) and some playbox sand. Apply the 2nd coat heavy and then sprinkle the sand into the wet paint for some "tooth" to the surface. Now dillute some white glue 1 part glue to 3 parts water and add a drop of dishwashing detergent so the water does not bead up. Sprinkle the foam grass and then spray it using an old Windex (or similar) sprayer with the dilluted glue mixture.

Another approach after you get your base color applied is to just paint the areas you want grassed with standard white glue (thick coating) and sprinkle the ground foam onto it thickly. Let it dry for a day or so and then vacuum the excess off (use a new bag or clean bagless vac and you can recover the excess foam.

You can paint roads, etc., while you determine where you want the grass areas.

Hope this gives you a simple starting point.

 

 

 

[Frank53]

You could also use 2x4 ft ceiling tiles set upside down.

I've used ceiling tiles with considerable success. They deaden the sound pretty well, particularly if you use cork roadbed between the tiles and teh track.

[spankybird]

I agree wtih Roy. One other way is to use 1/2 foam under your track as road bed.

If you mark out where your roads and building are, then paint the area with either green or brown paint and while the paint is wet, add the ground cover, then spay with glue.

[laz 57]

 I have used Homesote and really like it.  If had to do over again would have put 2 inch insulation under homesote. 

laz57

[Joe Hohmann]

Go to a place like Home Depot and have them cut a 4x8 section of a tight-pile muted-green indoor carpeting from a roll ( to avoid the "bends/bumps" in the pre-packaged stuff). Just secure it to the table with a FEW tacks along the edges. Joe

[Birds]

I went with dark green indoor/outdoor carpet laid over homasote for several reasons:

• I wanted something that would help muffle sound
• my layout is 6' x 14' and the carpet is 6' (and a couple inches) x whatever length I wanted, so I have one full piece of carpet without seams to cover the whole layout.
• I'm not doing detailed or realistic scenery, and this provides what I feel is a nice looking uniform base color to show off the look that I am after

Chris

[Anonymous]

On my Christmas layout, I stacked and glued 4x8 sheets of pink foam and then carved and painted it. It provided a nice, lightweight base that can be moved easily. I split it, with a saw to make it easier to store.
Here's a link to some photos:

http://home.comcast.net/~graz6/wsb/html/view.cgi-photos.html-MerchantID-132068-Publish-t-makestatic-true-skip-15.html

[Roger Bielen]

I've been told that green, or brown, felt colth over insulation board makes a good base.

[Anonymous]

I agree with your choice to ditch the grass paper.  I used it on my layout, and I regret that.  The paper fades, tears easily, and the "grass" slowly comes off the paper.  If and when I build another layout, I am going to look into green indoor/outdoor carpet. 

[Anonymous]

Awesome suggestions!  Thanks for all your help.  Should have a much quieter layout now!