installing a photo backdrop

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

hey, im installing a photo backdrop from railroadbackdrops.com on my layout and was wondering how to prep my masonite back board. What do i need to do to get the best results? What do i need to do where two boards join together. do i need to patch the seem like a drywall joint? Thanks

Scott Clements

2

There was a thread in the last 6 months about finishing the masonite seam, as if it was drywall, for painting purposes. If you don’t you will have a visible indentation in your photo unless it’s a perfect seam.

Edit looking for it… found this

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/251169/2803568.aspx#2803568

Here it is

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/262333.aspx

3

Drywall mesh tape and lots of feathering of the mud should give you a pretty smooth seam. Hopefully, the backdrops have a flat finish rather than shiny, since a shiny finish will tend to reveal any imperfections in the smoothness where as a flat finish hides imperfections better.

4

Ok, thanks for the help!

5

I had to do some drywall work in my basement and learned how. That should come in handy for back drops some day.

BTW, how much did it set you back for one of those backdrops?

6

Hi Scott:

I think you should get the masonite joint as smooth as possible. If you can see the joint after applying the backdrop it will bother you forever. Also, make sure that the masonite will be stable by building a proper support structure for it. If it moves a lot the drywall compound may crack.

Here is the Railroad Backdrops website:

http://railroadbackdrops.com/home/backdrops

They have some really great pictures and size options IMHO.

Dave