Ballast color

[2021]

I even hate to write this as it makes my stomach cringe. Has anyone got a suuggestion on how to change ballast that is already laid down (fortunately only a relatively small area)? I put down WS gray and now feel it's a little too dark. I would like to use the blended gray but am hoping when I do some scenicing the gray might not look so dark. I imagine the only real answer is to soak it down and remove the ballast and track and start over. Comments?
Ron K.

[canazar]

Ron
I had 2 thoughts,

1) Maybe put a light re-ballast coat on it to lighten it up useing a new color. Real rail roads do thattime to time, switching colors. Were ever the cheapest comes from.

2) maybe do light paint wash. Grab light color of arcylic paint, thin it down mayve 1 part paint, 4 parts water/acholic and wa***he ballast. See if that works. I know of few that darkened their ballast that way.

Well just some ideas. I guess it cant hurt if you have tear it up. Goodluck with however you go[:)]

[selector]

I agree. I'm sure real ballast changes from area-to-area on the same main. However, I would try a wash first, a rather heavy one about three shades lighter than your ballast, and see what happens. If no, then a light dusting of the preferred stuff.

[ham99]

I did the very same thing. I thought the medium gray was too dark, so I removed it [had just done about a yard of track] and used the blended gray. It looks much better. I have a whole cannister of the darker ballast, so I may save it for car loads. I make my own coal loads for some cars which are too uniform; I cut a masonite filler strip, mold some Sculptamold into load shapes, paint with white glue, cover with ballast, and spray flat black.