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Static grass applicator

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  • Member since
    August 2020
  • 561 posts
Posted by Southgate 2 on Friday, September 10, 2021 1:32 PM

On this subject, I got a 12 v Neg ion generator on Amazon for about 15 dollars. It works much better than my Harbor Freight Fly Swatter based applicator, or another cheapo neg ion generator I got for 6 or 7 bucks. Dan

 It says MICRO/P DC12V  NO 20102566 on it.

JRP
  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Upland, CA
  • 301 posts
Posted by JRP on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 10:59 PM

Thanks Guy.  Good advice and suggestions for me.   

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 1,517 posts
Posted by trainnut1250 on Saturday, August 28, 2021 10:33 PM

JRP,

I have used static grass for many years. In my experience, most white glue mixtures will work well for adhering the grass to the surface. I usually will apply one coat and then go over the area again after the first coat sinks in a bit before applying the grass.

I know Silflor is expensive but I have tried nearly everything out there and it is the “Cadillac” of static grass. I would hold your nose and pay the big bucks for a couple of colors of the 4 and 6 mm Silflor just so you can see what the static grass thing is all about with quality products. This will give you a base line to compare the other stuff out there.

Other quality grass makes besides Silflor include:

Peco, G force 9, Woodland Scenics (the new stuff – not the stuff in the big plastic bottles), Noch and Scenic Express.

BTW: the Woodland Scenic booklet that comes with their grass gun contains many very useful tips and methods – nearly all the tricks I have learned over the last 14 years of working with static grass are in the book. It is a great document to have even if you don’t own their product.

There is a download here:

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/instructions/FS639inst.pdf

Have fun,

Guy

 

see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,584 posts
Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 2:36 PM

Gale Force make great grass etc. You can buy static grass at many local gaming places. E-Bay can be real cheap, got a lot of mine there.

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 1:23 PM

Walthers does sell them too. Three a re few different brands of grasses with varying color tones.  I just read something the other day about dying your own colors too.  

 

Shane

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

JRP
  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Upland, CA
  • 301 posts
Posted by JRP on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 12:32 PM

Thanks all for the suggestions.  I was not aware of Silflor grasses, and while I was  impressed as to how they look, the shipping cost using Scenic Express is (in my opinion) a bit steep at $18.  Do you know if anyone else offers these grasses for less?  

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,334 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, August 23, 2021 10:44 AM

I use one of those cheap Grass-Tech applicators.  It works fine.  I also use thinned white glue.  I prefer to use a variety of lengths and grass colors to get a more natural, wild look.

I use Silflor grass.  I don't like the Woodland Scenics 2-mm grass at all.  It ends up looking fuzzy, not grass-like at all.  Silflor 4 and 6 mm are my go-to grasses.  I model HO.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,584 posts
Posted by rrebell on Sunday, August 22, 2021 11:59 PM

I used white glue with water mixture. Found out it was not so much about how you applied the grass but that it was well seated, you apply the grass, then you add the static charge layer up till you get the look you want. Start with fine ground foam, let dry, vacuum excess, add 2mm and repeat to what ever length you want. Also each layer should be a bit smaller than the last.

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,229 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, August 22, 2021 11:06 PM

I have used slightly thinned latex paint as well as slightly thinned "Mod-Podge" matte medium with satisfactory results.

I've also made "tufts" using Aleene's tacky glue. I make these on waxed paper taped to a metal baking sheet. I have two slightly different home made static applicators.

 

Good Luck, Ed

JRP
  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: Upland, CA
  • 301 posts
Static grass applicator
Posted by JRP on Sunday, August 22, 2021 11:03 PM

I recently purchased the Woodland Scenic static grass applicator.  I plan to add 2-3 mm grasses on my layout.  Is it imperative that I also use their "Static-Tac' adhesive or can I use simple white glue thinned with water, or perhaps even Matt Medium?  Other than what the directions read, are there any suggestions or advice from those who have used this device?

Thanks.

JRP 

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