brick mortar

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have a building that i was wondering if i could find a technique to make “mortar” go in the cracks between the bricks. Is there a way to do this?

2

I usually paint the building the color its going to be then,with thinned down white acrylic paint i sponge it on then wipe it down leaving the paint in the lines.You can also use different grays or concrete colors.hope this helps.

3

Ibeamlicker has a great way. I’ve also heard of people using thin spackling compound the same way…spread over the wall section then wipe off the surface. This probably works better on larger scales though.

underworld[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

4

Sometimes, I paint the wall with the mortar color first, then use markers, colored pencils, or drybrush the bricks with a brick color.

Nick

5

I paint the walls the brick color first. After it dries, I rub Hydrocal into the mortar joints. Then I lay the walls out flat and spray water above the walls so it “rains” down on the walls. I let it dry. The first time you do this, you will say, “Dagnabbit! It’s way too white!” Take a paper towel and rub the excess off the bricks, so the Hydrocal is only in the joints. Next, give the walls a thin wash of India Ink in water. This will turn the bright white to a weathered gray.

That’s my version of Model Power’s “Baldy’s Barber Shop.” The fire escapes are from Walthers.

6

I use a light tan colored liquid shoe polish. Simply use the applicator to sponge the polish all over the bricks, give it a short time to start drying and wipe off the excess.

7

Here is alink that may help you.

http://www.gatewaynmra.org/mhslayout/mhs-rix.htm

8

Read the article on page 84 of the February 2007 issue of Model Railroader entitled, “Realistic brick and signs.”

9

Make sure when you wipe off the excess paint or whatever you’re using for the mortar, go diagonal accros the brick surface. Very much like grouting tile. That way there is less chance of taking the mortar out of the cracks.

Rick

10

Rick,

Great tip! I use spackling compound and have had trouble with wiping out the grout. That should make things easier.

Thanks,

11

Cheers, people - my first post. I have tried many methods over the years including the careful application of thinned down mortar paint after the brick faces were painted (apply the paint to the edges of the piece prior to assembly and it spreads through the cracks by capillary action), or painting the mortar first and then carefully painting or even dry brushing the brick faces after that. The article in the Feb 07 Model Railroader advocates colored pencils after first painting the mortar. This was a new one for me - I tried it on a DPM model, AND LOVE IT. It’s fast, easy, and looks great. A quick spray of Dullcote afterwards and you’re done.

12

There have been loads of threads on this here and on the old forum… try a search. It will be worth hunting down… there really are loads of methods and ideas.

T Stage for one has done some good stuff. I’m afraid I can’t recall the others.

I’ll be short for a change… Just keep in mind hat you don’t want the colour too bright/light and that the real stuff has all sorts of colour variation even in just one wall.

Have fun.

[:P]