i want to find a cheap good looking way to make roads on my 4x8 HO layout. i have purchased the foam stuff that comes on rools at the hobby shop but it looks fake and perfect like plz help me
you can use sifted dirt from your back yard, ,parakeet gravel, or just about anything else that is small enuff, not magnetic, and looks good.
What I do is outline my road in a pencil, paint it in with brown or gray paint depending on if its gravel or dirt, (its paint from a craft store cant remember the name but its sometimes on sale for 3 bottles for a buck) While the paint is still wet, i paint it with elmers white glue, while that is still wet, ,I add my garavel or dirt. either with a spoon or a small applicator bottle I have. Then I soak it with a mixture of a few drops of liquid dish detergent miked with water, and let it soak in good. The I apply a mixture of diluted elmers glue. If I want ruts in it, I usually take my spoon, and run them down the road to look like wheel ruts
continued lol
for paved roads, I use black construction paper, dull side up, I cut it to width, make a template for lines, paint the lines on the road, weather it with a light gray wash, let it dry, and glue it right to the layout, then i take dirt or gravel for the berms, and put it on the same way as I described for dirt roads above. Dont worry if some dirt/gravel or paint gets on the road sides, it adds to the effect, you can take a little black paint and lightly paint in wearmarks from traffic if you desire, but dont go to heavy on this
I’d use plaster
i cant do this
i would screw it up before i started
Check www.walthers.com for street systems for plastic streets. Tar or felt paper can be passible new asphalt. Ask for help from someone in your area into trains and do them a favor in return works too.
For paved roads I use joint compound let it dry then sand it use like a gray wa***o paint the road the but some tape out of the auto parts store(use for pinstripping cars) yellow or white will do.For gravel I would use fine ballast out line the road first then use white glue as soon as it begin to dry add your ballast shape it up brush off excess.I would use the same method on gravel but with parakeet gravel .
You can use just about anything. I used kitty litter for one gravel rad and parking area. Just sifted out the big pieces and used the smaller ones. Looked fine until the cat used it.
I second the use of joint compound for paved roads. I think its much better than plaster. You can get it to the smoothness you want by wiping with a wet sponge. I bought a quart of the stuff for under $10 and its more than enough for my whole layout.
I used this method on an N scale module, but for a paved road I used some black paving material, mixed with some grey ballast and added Elmers glue. I then applied the thick paste with a teaspoon. Using my finger dipped in water, I smoothed it down and then took the dry mix and sprinkled it on top. It looked just like an old paved road.
Judy
seriously there isnt much better then the real thing…going outside and getting local sand is one of the best ideas that is out there. Cost friendly and looks realistic (since it is real). For paved roads I cant help you…since i have never done them. I am a logging person myself and never get near the main roads and when I do they are in the country, so they are all dirt
i want to find a cheap good looking way to make roads on my 4x8 HO layout. i have purchased the foam stuff that comes on rools at the hobby shop but it looks fake and perfect like plz help me
you can use sifted dirt from your back yard, ,parakeet gravel, or just about anything else that is small enuff, not magnetic, and looks good.
What I do is outline my road in a pencil, paint it in with brown or gray paint depending on if its gravel or dirt, (its paint from a craft store cant remember the name but its sometimes on sale for 3 bottles for a buck) While the paint is still wet, i paint it with elmers white glue, while that is still wet, ,I add my garavel or dirt. either with a spoon or a small applicator bottle I have. Then I soak it with a mixture of a few drops of liquid dish detergent miked with water, and let it soak in good. The I apply a mixture of diluted elmers glue. If I want ruts in it, I usually take my spoon, and run them down the road to look like wheel ruts
continued lol
for paved roads, I use black construction paper, dull side up, I cut it to width, make a template for lines, paint the lines on the road, weather it with a light gray wash, let it dry, and glue it right to the layout, then i take dirt or gravel for the berms, and put it on the same way as I described for dirt roads above. Dont worry if some dirt/gravel or paint gets on the road sides, it adds to the effect, you can take a little black paint and lightly paint in wearmarks from traffic if you desire, but dont go to heavy on this
I’d use plaster
i cant do this
i would screw it up before i started
Check www.walthers.com for street systems for plastic streets. Tar or felt paper can be passible new asphalt. Ask for help from someone in your area into trains and do them a favor in return works too.
For paved roads I use joint compound let it dry then sand it use like a gray wa***o paint the road the but some tape out of the auto parts store(use for pinstripping cars) yellow or white will do.For gravel I would use fine ballast out line the road first then use white glue as soon as it begin to dry add your ballast shape it up brush off excess.I would use the same method on gravel but with parakeet gravel .
You can use just about anything. I used kitty litter for one gravel rad and parking area. Just sifted out the big pieces and used the smaller ones. Looked fine until the cat used it.
I second the use of joint compound for paved roads. I think its much better than plaster. You can get it to the smoothness you want by wiping with a wet sponge. I bought a quart of the stuff for under $10 and its more than enough for my whole layout.