Does anyne know from what materials Bar Mills sidewalks are made? I tried painting some N scale sidewalks today with Woodland Scenics Earth Colors Liquid Pigment and the sidewalks got very soft. I hope they dry without “puffing up.” Is there a better paint or stain to use with them?
From the Walthers website (and easily found in a Google search)
https://www.walthers.com/sidewalk-kit-400-scale-feet-37-2-square-m
Bar Mills has solved a modeling dilemma for N Scale modelers: adding realistic sidewalks to street scenes. Sidewalks from Bar Mills are made from a specially imported paper material that has the proper texture and thickness. The sidewalks come precolored in a dirty concrete color, are laser-cut to size and include laser-etched crack and curb lines. The material is flexible, so applying them to your layout surface is easy even if there are grades or surface irregularities along the pavement’s edge.
I’d avoid using anything liquid and concentrate on chalks and powders to color and texture paper based products. Since further touching is unlikely you can forego sealing with DullCote or other fixitives.
It would appear that Bar Mills has changed the material used as I put down some of their N scale sidewalks a year ago and they were wood that had to be painted.
I put on a primer first and then used a light coat of Polyscale Concrete. I didn’t have any problems with them buckling. I stuck them down with white glue and they turned out great. I also think that Model Master Concrete would work too as I don’t think Polyscale is available now.
CN Charlie