Goop!

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I’ve just started covering the ground areas on my new HO layout and am experimenting with ground cover. I saw an article a while back (I think in MR) where the author refers obliquely to “ground goop” as a mixture of sand, vermiculite, glue and sand. Does anyone have any more details? For instance, relative proportions, etc…

Thanx much in advance

2

I must have missed that one. Sounds like muddy glue.
I have heard of mixing clay soil with hydrocal. It sets up and cures slowly and is easy to sculpt. It also colors the hydrocal.

3

If you are referring to the article by Lou Sassi on page 48 of the November 2005 issue of MR magazine the formula is stated as:
1 part celluclay
1 part Vermiculite (Permascene no longer available)
1 part earth-colored flat latex paint
3/4 part Elmer’s white glue

Hope this helps, John

4

The Ground Goop recipe I saw is:

1 cup Celluclay
1 cup Vermiculite
2/3 cup white glue
1 capful Lysol
1/2 to 1 cup Tobacco Brown paint
Water

Mix to a spreadable consistency. Store unused Goop in an airtight container.

5

Cacole’s recipe is the correct one. The Lysol is added to prohibit mold growth. Also it can be stored in a closed container for several weeks w/o drying out.

6

Thanks for the info…!!

But what is Celluclay?

Thanks again…

7

Celuclay is an arts & crafts store product for modeling. I live in New England and found it (along with lots of other goodies) at Michael’s Art Supply (a craft supply store).

I never tried the Ground Goop but it looks good in Sassi’s pix. I get great results using SculptaMold. I mix it a little thin and instead of straight water I use a mix of 50% water and 50% diluted latex paint (regular Home Depot flat latex in a tan or light brown color that I pre-mix 50/50 with water) this way if the SculptaMold chips it doesn’t look like a white scar!

Good luck.