EZ and inexpensive roofing idea

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi All,

Don’t you think that scratch building materials are too expensive? Especially roofing materials?

I found a neat way to make inexpensive roofing sheets. I start with 12x12” vinyl floor tiles, the peel and stick kind, and press this ribbed shelf liner to the sticky side.

As soon as it is pressed on it is ready to be painted and cut to size. It weathers up very nicely.

I have also used the heavy, textured paper that is used for scrapbooking as a cover to the floor tile base.

2

The shelf liner does indeed make a rather convincing rolled metal roofing. Any brand name? How wide are the “panels” in, say, HO scale.

Not sure about the usefulness of the peel and stick tile for sub-roofing (I prefer sheet styrene for scratchbuilding roofs), but hey, if it works for you.

3

Neat trick, i wonder if spray glue on styrene would work?

4

I have also found that strips of masking tape painted black make good tar paper roofing strips.

5

That’s really neat, Kyle. Thanks for sharing that. A lot of pre-fab buildings have walls made from similar material.

What’s the distance between ribs (center to center)?

Steve S

6

Hi Steve, Jack and all,

I would love to use styrene all the time. Can you buy it in bulk? 10 bucks or more for two little sheets can go pretty fast.

As far as the spacing goes, it is about 20" on center (HO scale) or a little > 3/16 inches in real life.

PS I cannot recall the brand name. I found it in the shelving aisle at my ACE old-fashoined hardware store.

7

This appears to be it…

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3307831

Lowe’s has it listed for $9.99…

http://www.lowes.com/pd_527002-996-PM120-C_4294857718__?productId=50067387&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1%26page%3D2&facetInfo=

Steve S

8

engineerkyle:

That looks fantastic! The weathering is really well done.

It is certainly easier and cheaper than Evergreen’s standing seam styrene roofing. The last time I used the Evergreen stuff I had to glue all of the individual seams into slots in the panel. I’m not sure if it is still the same, but it was a tedious job, and the styrene solvent caused the flat panel to curve as it dried.

Thanks!

Dave

9

Look in the Yellow Pages (or google) [:P] for “plastic suppliers”. I buy .060" styrene in 4’x8’ sheets - not sure of the current price, but probably between $25.00-$30.00 nowadays. It’s available in many thicknesses. You don’t need a pick-up truck to take it home, either: rolled-up and taped, it’ll fit in the backseat of a car or under your arm on the bus or your bike.
I use it for roofs and foundations on simple scratchbuilt structures:

…and roofs on larger kitbashed structures:

…and as bracing and unseen walls on large background structures:

…or for building mostly scratchbuilt large structures (although most of the windows are modified leftovers from a couple of Walthers kits):

Wayne

10

Looks good. Was at the Ace store the other day. Will try to remember to look next time I am in.

My local sign shop can get sheets of styrene for me. If it is a size he uses often I can get partial sheets. As long as I order it to come with his order, there is no shipping charge. Haven’t used his offer, but may use a couple sheets for my backdrop. Have several options to check on before deciding just what to use.

Good luck,

Richard

11

Thanks Doctor Wayne,

A 4x8 sheet for 30 bucks is doable. I had no idea.

BTW, I think we go way back. I got into trains in 2005, and I recall a forum called zealot we both belonged to.

Regards

12

Yup, I was there, too. I thought that you came along with the break-away bunch, though - I’d post a link, but it’s supposedly verboten. [:-^]

Wayne

13

I remember Zealot. I was there too then moved over to Big Blue.

14

Kyle,

Looks like a great idea and my local ACE has it ($5.99). A number of standing seam roofs around here to get the coloration I need to model, new to very old. One thing missing is how you did the roof caps or did you only do single pitch roofs?

Thanks for the idea,

Richard

15

Thanks for the kind words, Richard…

How I cap the peak depends on the structure. If it’s old, beat-up and rural, I may run a 1/4" strip of paper tape down the seam and give it a heavy black wash. This looks like tar paper. Newer, nicer buildings will get capped with a scrap of L shaped styrene trim.

16

I just bought some .040 and .060 styrene 4x8 for $17.00 and $26.00. They just roll it up and tape it (strech film actually). I cut it into 2x4 and 1x2 sheets for easy storage and use. Should last a few years.

-Bob

17

Kyle,

Thanks for the information. I had thought of tin foil, which would be about the right color when weathered, but needed to figure a good way to keep it smooth. Hadn’t thought of the L shaped styrene. Will have to see if LHS has some next time I go to town.

Thanks again,

Richard

18

Bob

Could you please tell us where you purchased your .040 and .060 styrene sheets?

wdcrvr

19
20

wdcrvr,

There is a small sign shop in my town. The fellow would order a sheet for me if I need some. No extra shipping charge, as it comes with his order. If it is something he has on hand, I can get partial sheets too. Also mentioned by others are plastics suppliers (probably supply my guys shop), if you are in a larger market.

Good luck,

Richard