[Twiglet]

Hi all. I am constructing the scenery for my layout using the cardboard-lattice technique, covering the topology with modrock and plaster as needed. The baseboards/trackbase are Sundeala, sealed with grey primer.

What sort of paint should I be using as a foundation for the scenery colour? There are so many alternatives. As far as I can tell, there are acrylics, various water-based paints, made-up- powder paints, spray-on enamels, household emulsions and so on. I want something that is easy to work with, preferably water based and which require no hydrocarbon solvents or thinners, provides good coverage and is non-toxic. This is the colour to provide a foundation upon which will be scattered flock, vegetation, rock-castings and so on.

What sort of paint should I use? And where can I get it?

Finally: I have seen some specialised spray paints available in DIY shops - these replicate 'sand' and other effects - these any good for modelling?

Mike

 

[frame69]

Hi Mike,Im no expert but have had good results just using water and acrylic based paints, plus they are easier to cover if not happy with the result.
I've also experimented to quite an extent with mixing materials with the paint to get different textures etc... Different grades of sawdust and sand and even a huge box of black pepper from my restuarant which was near its sell by date

 

[Twiglet]

Hi - what sort of acrylic paints? the sort you buy in a DIY shop or in a model shop? Have you ever used powder paints?

 

[frame69]

To be honest Im not sure what they are,just looked, the acrylics are from Inscribe, Borden hampshire, but generaly we go to the tat shops in town (padstow) because we live by the harbour and they sell cheap packs for about £1 which usualy consists of a dozen or so different colours so they are cheap enough to experiment with. My partner gives me her left-overs from her office where she makes greeting cards/wedding invites etc... Might sound a bit rough but also used emulsion mixed with glue and other stuff for scenery and was pleased with the result

 

[TonyDaly]

QUOTE (Mike H. @ 28 Jan 2009, 15:08) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi all. I am constructing the scenery for my layout using the cardboard-lattice technique, covering the topology with modrock and plaster as needed. The baseboards/trackbase are Sundeala, sealed with grey primer.

What sort of paint should I be using as a foundation for the scenery colour? There are so many alternatives. As far as I can tell, there are acrylics, various water-based paints, made-up- powder paints, spray-on enamels, household emulsions and so on. I want something that is easy to work with, preferably water based and which require no hydrocarbon solvents or thinners, provides good coverage and is non-toxic. This is the colour to provide a foundation upon which will be scattered flock, vegetation, rock-castings and so on.

What sort of paint should I use? And where can I get it?

Finally: I have seen some specialised spray paints available in DIY shops - these replicate 'sand' and other effects - these any good for modelling?

Mike

Hi Mike.
Household emulsion will do fine for all the base colours. You can use Acrylics for the finer details if you wish. No need for anything special.

You can use anything you like for scenic work provided it's not something that is likely to go off.

Remember in Model Railways everything is useable.

 

[FUNGUS]

I generally use hoysehold emulsion for base coats which to the colour required. This worked ok on my slotcar layout, so I'd imagine itll work ok at anyscale.
Regards
Steve

 

[frame69]

On distant parts of my layout green paint mixed with sawdust has a good enough finish for large areas,plus a little bit of scatter to break it up,as the other chaps said anything can be used,just experiment