Shadow box look

[saronaterry]

Hi, all. I'm about to install an upper facia, if you will. The idea is to make a shadow box/ diorama look. I know what and how, my question is what do you paint the inside/unseen part? I'll be starting over the Spooner Yard:

 

And proceeding around the layout. Figure on using 1/8" masonite, same as the facia.

What do you guys paint the inside? White, dark??? You can see the can lites. They are about every 3-4' around a rather large basement layout.

Any ideas?  Terry

[CSXDixieLine]

I have a multi-level layout, so the upper part of the shadow box is actually the bottom of the next level up. As such, I am just going to leave it unpainted since it will be the underside of roadbed, scenery, benchwork, etc. However, if yours can not be seen, I would recommend painting it white to act as a reflector/diffuser for the lighting (assuming you will have lights installed inside). Jamie

EDIT: I just re-read your post and realized you are actually installing a valance up on the ceiling. Not really sure how to paint this or if it really matters since it will be "out of sight" when looking down at the layout. Lots of modelers use valances so I am sure you will get good responses with photos.

EDIT #2: Found a pic of Lee Nicholas' UCW layout. The fascia on the layout and the valance, as well as the ceiling, are painted black to maximize the museum diorama effect:

[trainnut1250]

Terry,

 

I used 1/8 luan plywood.  Primer on both sides.  Outside is black, inside is white to reflect light and hopefully increase the brightness of my lamps.  In addition to the reflective qualities, I painted both sides to help prevent warping.

 

 

Guy

[saronaterry]

Thanks,guys! Must have had a brain fart! Couldn't think of "valance"!!

I'll go with white on the inside for light reflection  and dark green on the visable side to match the facia.

Guy: The first pic is exactly what I'm going for.

Thanks again, fellas!

Terry

[BIG JERR]

side note;nice picts of some very nice work ....thanks J.W.

[Allegheny2-6-6-6]

 You definitely want to paint the inside of the valance white to reflect as much light as possible. I would stay away from stuff like silver as silver paint doesn't reflect worth a hill of beans. i have seen where a guy used silver reflective Mylar glued to the back of the valance and he had it angled in some spots to reflect light on to certain scenes.

I was speaking with some oen about this ver subject last week and typically a lot of guys use the standard two bulb fluorescent fixture which is typically 8"

the lights are mounted closest to the outside of the upper valance as possible to get as much light without creating shadows below.  We were discussing how the screw in fluorescent bulbs give off just as much light if not more n some cases and take up far less room. Another alternative is to use a single bulb long fluorescent fixture.

I have also seen where guys use several different kinds of lighting behind the valance, the normal fluorescent fixture and then track lighting with spots and or floods to light a particular scene. What ever you choose to do put each source of lighting on a separate switch from the room lights so when your working on the layout you don't have to have all the other lights on spinning your electric meter off the map.