I’ve been asked a few times to share how I built and painted my backdrop and I promised to do so once I finished, so here it is! (click any of the pics to enlarge them)
I started out by making the support tracks that will hold everything up. They are simply 1x2s secured with drywall screws and wood glue. Even though they are raised 3/4" off the benchwork, I wasn’t too concerned about hiding them since they will be covered up by mountains when I start scenery.
Next I installed the actual supports, which are more 1x2s and metal L brackets. I made sure there was a support every 12", although if I had to do it again there would be a support at least every 8" for reasons I’ll explain later.
After all the supports were up, I installed the actual backdrop. When I started planning for the backdrop, I was very concerned about cost and ease of use. I wanted to use styrene sheets, but it would cost me over $100 and it didn’t seem very easy to work with. Then one of the forum members suggested vinyl flashing. After some research, I found that it was relatively inexpensive, and it came in a role (up to 50 feet) so I wouldn’t have to cover up any seams. Here is a link to the product I used. http://www.diyhomecenter.com/products/building_supplies/flashing/duraflash/detail.aspx?iid=10021
(Btw, if you do order any, I highly recommend getting it from this site. Free shipping and it was on my door step the next day!)
After roughing up the back of the flashing with sandpaper, I used Liquid Nails for Projects to secure it to the supports. It helps a lot to have 8 or more clamps to hold everything together while the caulk sets. For the very bottom of the backdrop where appearance didn’t really matter I used drywall scr
When I built my last layout I had a friend who got my a roll of plastic used by graphic artists that was 100’ x 24" and was .020 thick. Now that I’m building a new layout he can’t get it any more and I can’t find it anywhere.
I went to a local art suppy house and they had plastic sheet on rolls that was 50’ x 48", but it was only .005 thick. It was also $50.
I think you might have hit the nail on the head! Thanks!
I’ve heard of people getting rolls/large sheets of styrene from industrial plastics dealers, much cheaper than the small sheets you get at the hobby shop. Might be worth looking into as a possible source of backdrop material.
No problem. This stuff is a little thinner than .020, its only .015. The thickness is was actually a benefit for me because I could easily cut it with a pair of scissors. Thanks for taken a look!
Thanks for showing us. Looks like a really good job to me. I like the choice of blue, too. [tup]Looking forward to seeing pics of it in use. You might not even want clouds once there’s some scenery in place.
Sorry for the late reply, I kind of lost track of this thread. No the backdrop is not 2ft tall, it is only 20" You can get rolls that are 10" 14" 20" and 24" high. I’m glad you think the blue color looks all right, I wasn’t if it was too light or not. Once I add some Kentucky mountains most of the clouds would be hidden anyway, so I think I’ll just leave them out. Thanks for the complements!
