If I am asking a previously discussed question, pardon me as I am new to this site.
It is close to the time for me to paint my fascia board. Brown and green seem to be the colors that I most often see. I am modeling the midwest/west and I assume that flat paint would be preferred.
What are your opinions and suggestions…
Jim
I painted mine flat hunter green. I also model the upper midwest( NW Wis.)
Hope that helps!
Terry in NW Wisconsin
On the older part of my layout, I use a sheet of Masonite, so dark brown is the natural color.
I would suggest matching the general color of the ground cover on your layout, if you want to paint it. The idea is to make the fascia “disappear,” so either painting it a dark color or blending it with the layout surface is the way to go.
On this part of my layout, I used an exterior frame of 1x4 lumber, and “rolled” the edge of the layout down to it. So, I have a finished wood frame and then the layout proper, no “fascia” lining the outside. The finished wood looks much nicer in the family room where my layout is.
Flat enamel for ease of cleaning should the fascia get smudged. I would suggest priming the material if it is masonite of similar (you can have the primer tinted to match finish coat).
I would think that the fascia color should complement or match the basic terrain color (dirt?). Some people suggest a dark color to be less distracting, but if it is matching the terrain contour I would think a the matching color would look pleasing.
quote user=“MisterBeasley”]So, I have a finished wood frame and then the layout proper, no “fascia” lining the outside. The finished wood looks much nicer in the family room where my layout is.
[/quote]
Can one assume the stuff under the benchwork is no longer there? [:D]
My take on the fascia is that it’s a shear plane through the crust at the edge of the modeled space. Ideally, it would show a cross-section. However, since I am neither an artist nor a geologist, I’ve opted for plain Masonite with a clear enamel finish.
I have never seen solid green geologic sections any larger than a few malachite crystals. Also, green tends to show my grubby paw-prints. The color might be pleasing to some, but not to me.
Likewise, solid black will show evidence of anything that touches it. Since I have a bunch of removable access panels in my fascia, that’s not an option.
Just my [2c]. Other opinions are sure to differ.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Hi!
Have to say, its a personal choice - somewhat influenced by the overall “color” of the layout. I’ve had brown and green on previous layouts and they were OK. On this one, I used black. I like it, as it kind of disappears and allows focus on the layout. Think of some of the restaurants or clubs you have been to, whereas many of them have all the ceiling and overhead infrastructure painted flat black - and you just don’t notice it.
All that being said, either of the three colors will typically be just fine.
Color choice falls under “that depends.” My layout is set in the northern Great Basin, so I went with a sage brush-y green to pick up some of the dark colors that will appear in the scenery. I’ve also used brown-ish gray on an earlier layout where I couldn’t find a green that worked with every scene like I wanted. Here’s the fascia on my current layout showing how it looks next to a structure with muted earth tones (it looks a bit greener in the photo that in person, where it has a grayish cast):
I would recommend against flat paint. Semi-gloss or gloss will show much less wear. One of my local layouts uses flat and it has not held up well to passing operators, or even other basic maintenance activity. It exhibits wear from people and objects rubbing against it that glossier paint will not.
One way to look at I suppose. I think of the fascia more like a picture frame or mat, so a color that complements the scenery surface looks fine to me.
Again that depends on the sheen of the paint. A couple of the layouts where I operate use gloss black, and it shows almost no wear, even on access panels. Flat black usually doesn’t hold up well.
Jim
Interesting question. I think the answer depends on the desired result.
In the '70s, when I built my 1st layout, wood grain paneling was the current “in” finish for fascia. The idea was (and is) to have a layout presentation resembling a piece of furniture. I know I get comments like, “can’t you make the layout less of an eye-sore?” and, “I’d like to show off the layout to friends. Can’t you make it look better?” Which comes down to I get more spousal support for the hobby when the layout meets her presentability requirements. A furniture-like presentation scores positive points here, especially when skirting or covers hide any construction mess.
Some favor a theatrical or museum-style presentation. Black is the preferred “frame” for the layout, with the layout being brightly lit, and light outside the layout minimized.
There is a point of view other posters have made that the fascia should be neutral to the scene, and therefore tend to visually “disappear”. This typically has the fascia taking on the predominant color of the scenery, which will vary with region modeled.
Semi-gloss paint is easiest to clean, but may produce unwanted glare. Flat has no glare, but tends not to clean up as well and keep showing smudges because it’s not as hard a finish. Our HOn3 Free-mo modular group uses a flat finish (egg shell) for the fascia, but several modules have had to have the fascia touched up because of smudging of the finish. We use a forest green color for Colorado scenery, and require black skirting. The effect is quite g
Jim
Interesting question. I think the answer depends on the desired result.
In the '70s, when I built my 1st layout, wood grain paneling was the current “in” finish for fascia. The idea was (and is) to have a layout presentation resembling a piece of furniture. I know I get comments like, “can’t you make the layout less of an eye-sore?” and, “I’d like to show off the layout to friends. Can’t you make it look better?” Which comes down to I get more spousal support for the hobby when the layout meets her presentability requirements. A furniture-like presentation scores positive points here, especially when skirting or covers hide any construction mess.
Some favor a theatrical or museum-style presentation. Black is the preferred “frame” for the layout, with the layout being brightly lit, and light outside the layout minimized.
There is a point of view other posters have made that the fascia should be neutral to the scene, and therefore tend to visually “disappear”. This typically has the fascia taking on the predominant color of the scenery, which will vary with region modeled.
Semi-gloss paint is easiest to clean, but may produce unwanted glare. Flat has no glare, but tends not to clean up as well and keep showing smudges because it’s not as hard a finish. Our HOn3 Free-mo modular group uses a flat finish (egg shell) for the fascia, but several modules have had to have the fascia touched up because of smudging of the finish. We use a forest green color for Colorado scenery, and require black skirting. The effect is quite g
I like that idea, too. Looking at Terry’s green fascia below his forest scene up in the second post, you can see how nicely the fascia complements the brighter green trees and blends with the scene.
It’s a relatively recent picture. Eventually, I will be able to clean out the stuff beneath the layout, as I was able to do to some extent with Phase 1. The hole in the middle will be a liftoff for access to the back, so I’ll have to get rid of the stuff eventually. Right now, though, it’s a construction zone, and all that pink foam and other scraps have to go somewhere. [swg]
Thanks for the comment, Mr. B. Next big project is to add a valance above.
Terry in NW Wisconsin
I did mine in dark green, semi-gloss. DJ.
Thanks for the suggestions regarding flat/semi gloss paint. I will definately go with the semi gloss.I would like to see a black fascia although the darker green looks real good.
Welcome to the forums.
There are some very nice examples given above.
I think it is a matter of personal taste in the end.
When I initially finished the layout surface I painted the sides black to hide the various colors of foam and hide the lines where pieces were glued together making my hills. I have thought of just leaving it since it is a small layout, which will not be my last (I hope).
However, I am currently making a masonite facia, which will hold the plexiglass safety fence in place, as discribed by Dave Popp on one of the locations above. (Edit: Expert tips under Videos) Little hands and close to the edge track, cost of locos and rolling stock all contributeded to the decision to do this. I could just leave the dark brown, but I feel it should at least be sealed to protect from staining. Since I liked the black, I may go back to that. I have also concidered a rather dark green similar to Terry’s and Grampy’s. With the black already on the base, I do not need to hide the foam color. Still thinking and watching other posts to see how they look before I decide.
Don’t think there is a wrong here, look at other layouts shown in the “Show Me …” and “WPF” posts, then let personal preference be your guide.
Good luck,
Richard
I used a rust color with a grey upper band, offset by 1/4". It gives the layout a very finished look and allows me to use the narrower piece to fit the contours when I want it to. Just another way to skin a cat as they say.
-Bob
farrellaa…nice layout in progress.i really like the "Beatles"album under the layout in the box too.
The latest Model Railroad Planning issue shows how Photoshop Elements can be used to try out all sorts of fascia colors against photos of your layout. The examples shown were a brown, a bright green, an olive drab, and – surprisingly effective – deep red.
I have considered whether it would better convey that I model the Chicago & North Western if I made my fascia yellow and green. Still thinking about it.
Dave Nelson