How to make plastic look like wood

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi Guys

I have a few Crates and boxes that I would like to know how I can paint them to look lile real wood? would anybody have any tisps or maybe a tutorial somewhere?

Thanks

Jeremy

2

You could try holding a razorsaw sideways to your “wooden” bits and dragging it over the surface lengthways. Done lightly, this should simulate woodgrain. Lightly then run a small bit of wet and dry abrasive paper to take out the “out of scale” impressions and paint in your timber colour.

If you are talking clapboard siding type finishes, use a scriber to scratch the even lines for the “planks” first a bit deeper than you will run the razor saw, then apply your razor saw as above.

You can see a rather crude example of what is possible on one of my web pages about midway down the page as an “exercise” to see if the material could be used!

http://www.xdford.digitalzones.com/modelrr13.htm

Hope this helps!

Regards from down under

Trevor

3

If they are new wood, drag something across them to make grain (sandpaper, knife blade, razor saw, etc.) and paint them a yellowish tan, then give them a wash of a darker brown. If they are older wood, distress them, then paint them a light grey (or even white) and give them washes of black and dark browns.

Dave H.

4

I have a tutorial on this issue which was done by Harold M but his site has been gone for a few days. He told people they could share is material the first time his site went away a couple months ago. No clue if he is coming back.

Send me a PM and I will send you the tutorial. That way your email address will not be on the forum. I can accept PMs.

Rich

5

JeremyB:

I love working with wood, but I also like trying to make plastic look like wood. I had a cheap Life Like frieght station. I like the design so I decided to try my hand at making it look like wood, even the crates and barrels.

I took the various parts and used a fine grit sandpaper and went over the plastic first then washed each piece in warm soapy water to remove any releasing agent on the plastic. I actually used spray can paints. A rust color, very lite; then painted the framing and windows with Acrylic paints purchased at Wal Mart.

The windows and ribbing on the walls were hand painted with acrylic craft paints, again purchaed at Wal-Mart.

Robert Sylvester

WTRR