Best Type of Paint for a Fascia

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Color notwithstanding, what is the best type of paint for a fascia - Flat, Eggshell, Satin, Gloss or Semi-Gloss? I currently used a black Satin household pain which has become quite scuffed up in a year or so from clothing as visitors and operators walk in the isles.
Thanks, Geoff

2

Eggshell paint cleans easier, covers better, wears better, and lasts longer than flat paint. You can clean scuffs and marks on the wall easily with a warm, damp cloth.

Rich

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3

I’ve been really happy with “Behr Scuff Defense” from Home Depot for my layout facias. It came in semi-gloss.

4

25 years ago I used a deck paint formula from California Paints. Tough stuff, been very happy with it ever since. Also used it to paint the underside of my benchwork and plywood and have never had a moisture issue.

Regards, Chris

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5

Eggshell on the fascia. I too, paint the underside of my layout with white paint so if it arises I need to work underneath, the white bottom enhances the lights that I use to do work…

6

[PART 1: PAINTING BACKDROPS FOR LARGE LAYOUTS - YouTube] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgInYtjXWvk#t=863.34656)
The process used in his blob-blob-blob technic makes the fascia blend in with the scenery around it.
Dan

7

Neal, great idea about WHITE paint on the underside. Wish I had thought about it back then. See you in West Springfield. I’ll be the guy wearing a baseball hat! :grin:

Regards, Chris

8

Hi Chris, glad you liked what I did on my railroad. Believe me, it helps when the eyesight starts to go and let’s face it - under the layout is not that bright as above!

I think we met at Springfield in the past. When you come by our area, if I’m busy, just shout my name and I’ll try to stop what I’m doing for a minute to say hello and have a little conversation…

Cheers!
Neal

9

I use gloss paint. It’s easiest to clean, and also pretty tough.

10

Thanks for all the helpful tips guys. I’m going to go with a quality eggshell. I believe that is what I used on a previous layout about 15 years ago and had good results. By quality I mean a Sherwin Williams not a big box store brand. After a couple of false starts I used a premium paint for my backdrop and was really surprised how a quality paint worked.

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11

Good choice!

Rich

12

Paints formulated for cabinets would be another option for a layout that saw high use, but true professional formulations are expensive (Like $120/gallon expensive)

13

I see many recommendations for eggshell. I can see the advantages of that over flat, but why eggshell over a the higher sheens?

BYW - I intend to use eggshell as it is my preferred level for just about everything.

14

Because it hides imperfections, dirt, and whatever else shows up with shinier types of paint.

Rich

15

The most durable and long lasting paint is called EGGSHELL it has less of a gloss is washable and is a harder service than Gloss( I worked for Sherwin Williams Paints for 3 years and we were taught that EGGSHELL is the most durable of all latex paints and is more scratch resistant more stain resistant then gloss and you don’t really want anyone to notice the fascia you want the main attention directed to the layout and trains.
A fascia is well needed but if some one comes into your layout and the first they say is “WOW Great Fascia” your doing something wrong. They should say “WOW what a great Model Railroad and you did a good job blending your Fascia”.