Who uses Ground Goop?

[cwaldman]

How many of you have tried Lou Sassi's Ground Goop he mentions in his books. Though it is not his invention, he seems to have brought into the spot light of sorts.

I have been using this and have fallen in love with it! Super versitile and i love that you can mix it and store it in a sealed container for a very long time.

It just makes the ground look.... well like ground.

I was wondering if anyone here has any opinion on it in there use of it? Or just how you have used it uniquely?

Cletus

[Anonymous]

I have the video about Lou's layout in which some of the "tree group" members describe the making and use of ground goop. I have been tempted, but have yet to jump in, so to speak. From your post I gather it is everything it's cracked up to be. Please post some pictures if possible. I certainly am curious about it.

Cheers,

Ed

[cwaldman]

The scenery in ALL of the pictures here contain Ground Goop underneath. I can take some of just the goop if you wish, but it is in one of Lou's books. Kind of like a brown cake mix look to it.

http://homepage.mac.com/cgwaldman/PhotoAlbum1.html

You do need to replace the permasceence componenet with vermiculite, talked about in another topic.

It is very workable and holds the ground foam well. Plus you never waste anything. If it shows through, it still just looks like ground. Makes great erosion scenes on banks also.

Cletus

[pbjwilson]

What's ground goop? What's the formula to make it?
Thanks, Paul

[cwaldman]

1 cup Celluclay (sold at craft shops), 1 cup Vermiculite (sold at plant stores) 2/3 cup Elmers white glue, a cap full of Lysol (prevents mildew) and 1/2 to 1 cup of Tobacco brown paint. Add water to make spreadable. Apply about 1/8 inch or so thick.

Put lid on any left over keeping air-tight and it will keep for a very very long time.

http://www.dickblick.com/zz331/06/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=2037

I get mine at AC Moore.

http://gardenshoponline.com/gromedia/vermiculite.html

I get mine at Walmart.

Shows how to make and use it:
http://www.allenkeller.com/GMR23.htm

Cletus

[eng22]

cwaldman,

The scenes in your pictures our phenominal! I want to see more! I read Lou Sassi's book on how to build a realistic HO railroad. I thought I was inspired, you have taken detail to a whole new level. GREAT WORK!

[cwaldman]

Thanks for the nice comments on my layout. I have been inspired by both John Allen and George Sellios, as well as Lou's work. Although I must say that I try to, as Allen said find a happy medium between the detailing and the operation of the road. Which is really what i like. but the scenery detailing and taking time to do that is just too darn relaxing for me at times.

Thanks again. I will try to add a few more images, and post here when I do.

Cletus

[cwaldman]

I have added a few images of my use of ground goop. I like especially the area meant to represent errosion.

http://homepage.mac.com/cgwaldman/PhotoAlbum1.html

thanks

Cletus

[Anonymous]

Just a guess, but I would take it that yours is in HO scale. How would it look for N or would it be worth while to grind up the vermiculite finer?

Chris

[cwaldman]

My road is in HO, but to tell you the truth, i doubt it would matter for N. I say this thinking that

first: it would be covered with your normal scale scenery items of choice. and

second, even if it did show through, as with the erosion effect i attempted, that it would represent simply dirt which doesn't really have a scale. In other words, I don't think it showing, would matter any more than if the foam you used was course versus fine.

Cletus

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I was just worried that it might look like boulders poking out of the ground if it was exposed. This sounded good, but then looking at your photos it sounds awesome. I'll be trying this as soon as I can. Thanks again.


Chris

[Anonymous]

I've never used Celluclay - is Sculptamold an acceptable substitute, or are they two different (and too different) things?

[cwaldman]

I have tried to mix them when I ran low on celluclay and it did not go well. Why? because they are different. The sculptamold will get hard fast. The celluclay will take a day (or a little more) to completely dry. Plus when sealed in a tupperware type container the celluclay in the mixture will remain soft and usable for up to a year. Maybe longer.

You can stop where you are, go have dinner, desert, a cup of coffee and return to the ground goop and it is still good to work with.

Cletus