need advise-coloring ceiling tile rocks!!!!

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have just installed a large rock face and waterfall using ceiling tiles. Can anybody give me any good ideas on coloring these tiles with out melting them.

2

For my rocks I use the WS earth tone coloring set. I think there’s 8 colors for about $17.
Looks great for plaster, don’t know about tiles.

3

I have been using the WS coloring kit to color my plaster rocks, and scenery already, but from reading if too much water is sprayed on the ceiling tiles they will melt…

4

Seal them with some clear coat or a white base spray paint first.(just a thought)

5

Ceiling tiles can take a fair amount of water before falling apart. Acrylic paints and washes are the way to go for sealing and painting. Unless you disturb the tile it will dry out with no ill effects. Some have actually wet the tiles for shaping w/ wire brush and let dry to paint.
Bob K.

6

So painting is better than using the pigments or water base coloring kits?

7

I painted a coat of thin plaster over the tiles then colored the plaster.
Wayne

8

The best way to keep them from deteriorating from water is to prime them with Kilz2 acrylic primer.

Click images to enlarge

I have a “what I did” at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/more_rocks/

Thank you if you visit
Harold

9

It’s always a good idea to seal the tiles first (any old tannish or greyish paint will do) before applying your final rock coloring. This helps to eliminate any “fuzz” along the broken edges of the tile. Considering that broken ceiling tile most closely resembles sandstone strata or schist, the final colors could run from tans and reddish browns on to various shades of grey.

CNJ831

10

not a bad itea, but I love the current look.

11

[quote]
Originally posted by hminky

The best way to keep them from deteriorating from water is to prime them with Kilz2 acrylic primer.

Does the Kilz2 primer have a bad odor, I have a baby in the house and cant fumigate the place?

12

[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by reverman

It has a very low odor, so low that I had to go to the workshop to see if what it smelled like. I use it for priming everything. I use it to make plastic look like weathered wood.

A plastic IHC old time water tank

I have a “what I did” about plastic as weathered wood at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/weathered_plastic/

13

i will try the kilz2 and see if it works for me, I havent had much practice with paints and coloring. I have only been using the Woodland Scenics color kits and have mainly been working with plaster of paris… I’m not new to the hobby but am a returning modeler, and my have things changed…

14

I’m not trying to cause a problem by pulling up an old thread, but I’m planning on using some ceiling tile for some rock walls on my layout. What kind of ceiling tile do you use for thie? There are the ones that are about 2x4 that drop into a metal grid in a suspended ceiling arrangement then there are the other ones that are about 1x1 that you tack up with a staple gun. The suspended ones seem to be lighter and more porous but don’t seem to have a striated(?) look to them. They also seem to be easier to work with, breaking them up, etc.

What worked best for you?

dlm

15

Hi dan: Here is just one possible method. These were 2x4 older, heavy ceiling tile. I broke one side over a straight edge, (a piece of plywood), then used a hand saw to cut a piece about 3" wide. I, then hot glued the pieces in layers, staggering the end joints. In the first 2 examples, I brushed hydro-cal over the faces, this gives a rounded face. The other two I just left jagged, (which I prefer). Then I sprayed them with alcohol-ink multiple times, till they had the look I wanted, and then drybrushed with light tan latex paint.

16

Thanks. That looks great. Our company is doing a little remodeling so I should be able to pick up a bunch of ceiling tile scraps for my project.

Yours looke a little more layered than the one small piece I got yesterday. But that look, especially in the second & fourth pictures is what I’m trying to capture.

Thanks again!

dlm

17

The last time I used broken ceiling tile rocks there was light coming through a few “tile cracks.” So, black roofing paper was placed behind the tiles to stop any tunnel-use lightbeams.

Spray paint can be used for rock highlighting. Some type of base primer is helpful as the tiles “can be hungry” while soaking up that first coat of paint.

18

In an old MR article, they colored the ceiling tile rocks with latex paint.

19

I have never used this scenery method but I do have an acquaintance who did and this is the way he prepared his broken tiles for painting. He broke his tiles over a two by to insure that he got as uniform an edge as possible.

20

I’m speculating here, but it strikes me as though sealing them first will pretty much defeat the purpose of using washes. Washes work best when they can soak into a porous surface, allowing the slow building of color and variations. Seal = no soak.