How I paint my tiny people.

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I was stuck when trying to find a way to hold onto my tiny HO scale people while painting them, I recieved about 300 people not mounted to the plastic “bones” or frame and trying to hold each one with tweezers became more than I could handle, so I discovered a way of painting many at one time by sticking their feet in a clay disc, once they dried I’d turn them over and do their shoes black. (do not use the type of clay that hardens).

Now if I’m interupted I can get back to them with out worry that they dried to my bench.

2

This is a great idea. Thanks. Where did you get the clay that doesn’t dry?

Hal

3

Two sided carpet tape works too but you can’t be too rough with the brush!

4

Hello Hal,

The clay was just some cheapo clay from the walmart craft dept, it will say “does not harden” on the package.

I’ve also used it for holding telephone poles and other small parts while I add a touch of color to them.

5

I make popsicle stick “stands” for my wee people. I glue 2 popsicle stick in an “X” configuration, and then stick a bit of Fun Tak (http://www.amazon.com/Jo-Ann-Dap-Fun-Tak-Reusable-Adhesive/dp/B0001DSDBE) or comparable reusable poster adhesive to the top stick. I can plant 6-8 figures in the Fun Tak, and the second stick allows me to pick up the unit and keep my fingers out of the paint, and also allows me to brace the “X” nice and still for those tricky details. I’ll try and post a picture later…a thousand words and all…

6

The clay is a good idea. I glue mine to a piece of wood using white glue (elmer’s). That holds them good, but they snap right off when I’m done painting.

I fasten them to my layout the same way, so I can rearrange them if I want.

7

Any craft store in the floral dept. It’s good for making plaster molds too.

8

The clay sounds like a good idea. I have used flat headed nails. Nail them into a long narrow board, spaced out about 3" between nails. Then hotglue the feet onto the top of the nails. When you are through painting, just snap them off the nails.

9

Cool idea, Red Horse. Might not work in N scale, but if I can get to the point when I add figures, I’ll try it.

10

…and there you have it. I made a half dozen of these, and they are more than enough to keep me busy until my neck hurts!

11

Wow, some other outstanding ways to paint the towns folks…LOL!

12

Auugh! Everyone is wearing cement shoes! I can imagine the headlines: “Hitman takes out an entire town”