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Quick and easy Flextrack
Have use the Dap on my lauot over foam and it is great and fast!
If I were to use the tape, I would leave the tacky side up, and caulk the tape down. I miss AMI Instant Roadbed!
A quick check on Ebay finds 30’ rolls of this stuff in various widths for as little as $6. Something to consider once I start my next layout.
The only problem I see with the tacky side up is switches will not be free to move. With the caulk up, then putting where the caulk only in non moving part of the track will make life a little easier.
Chris
I’m getting ready to start on a new layout since I just moved from Georgia to Florida. I will be using this tape on my double track main lines. Thanks for the information.
Arizona. I used the topper tape to build my 4’x6’ McGraw Valley RR and it turned out just great. I laid the tape on blue-foam insulation and then sprayed the topper tape with ‘Gravel Gray’ Floquil Diorama paint. I glued the flex track down using Dap Kitchen & Bath Adhesive Caulk. The Dap dries clear and does not effect the paint color. Then I brushed Woodland Scenics ‘Gray Blend’ ballast agaist the square sides of the tape and glued it using Elmer’s white glue. This eliminated gluing ballast between the tracks. It looks great and I didn’t have to worry about gumming up the turnouts.
What width do you all recommend? I found it in 2 inch, 1 1/4 and 1 1/2. I am leaning toward the 1 1/2?
I have read the article and tried to find the DAP adhesive and was not successful. Whats up with that. Any suggestions as to where it can be found.
Very informative. 8^)
A little rummaging around on the internet provided this resource for bulk quantity closed cell foam in multiple weights and thicknesses:
http://www.foambymail.com/Volara.html
Lot of information on various foam products, the sound deadening foam looks particularly interesting for use on lighting valances to help quiet the train room/layout area.
To Bill Kirchen: DAP adhesive chaulk is carried at our local Ace Hardware. Check with yours. If for some reason they don’t have check their .com.
I am sure that it will be helpful for many. My layout has been down since the 80’s and uses homabed roadbed, meaning that for me, any enhancements to trackwork will need to be the same. But, it looks promising for someone just starting out.
Clear paintable latex caulk from almost any manufacturer will work. I’m usung it to apply cork to foam board as well as track to cork. Drying times vary between manufacturers.
I use srtaight pins to hold track alignment while the caulk sets up.
I started using DAP 3.0 to lay my flextrack and I found that it is a great way to lay track. I also use 1.5" square and round steel bar stock cut about 1.5" long as weights placed about 6" apart on the track to hold the track in place until the dap sets up. As the article says, if need be, the track can be removed with a putty knife. I am going to try the topper tape also. thanx for the tip.
CCG
this tape is sometimes refferred to as armaflex tape used in the HVAC, to insulate copper lines. the surface has to be super clean or it won’t stick, another option would be something called cork tape, sticky on both sides, color is black
I used regular dap painters caulk as an adhesive on my layout,clear ofcourse,worked great!dries clear takes paint,stain and all. The topper tape you mentioned sounds like a good idea! Moving my layout and enlarging it.Will give it a try,thanks for the tip!
This is very helpful as I look at the boxes of trains from a recent move and figure out where in the new house for small layout. Any one try this technique with S-gauge track?
I got a sample of the truck liner foam from my local truck and van store here in Ontario to try out. I was modelling in S scale at that time and found that the weight of the S Helper engines crushed the foam as the train passed over. My tests ended there on the spot.
planning to expand will give it a try
The products mentioned do not appear to be available in Australia. However, an adhesive backed tape for some roofing applications seems to work in a similar manner. I used this on a layout extension 3 years ago, and it seems as good now as when it was first done… The tape that I used fits between purlins and polycarb “skylight” sheets to stop creaking during temperature expansion/contraction. Good article!