To all who have taken the time to reply to my question about using sandpaper to represent a ‘built-up roof’: Thank you very much. I have learned a lot from all the replies and I very much appreciate your time and thoughts.
After reviewing all the replies, I’ve come to the conclusion that which grit sandpaper would be best isn’t the most important issue, but rather, how the sandpaper would look when applied to the Walthers building roof with its irregularities. The supplied roof has several ‘bumps’ and other ‘guides’ to help locate roof-top details. Cutting and fitting the sandpaper over or around them and then getting the details to fit and look good sounds like more than I care to attempt.
Thank you doctorwayne for putting this idea in its proper perspective. And thank you ctyclsscs, cowman, and MisterBeasley for your suggestion to use Rustoleum textured paint, that’s what I’m going to try.
Again, many, many thanks to all who contributed to this question.
How do you keep a sandpaper roof free of dust? It would seem to me that the grit would hang on to the dust particles pretty good. Any sort of brushing action might push the dust further into the grit. I guess vacuuming would be an option. Compressed air might work too, but all that would accomplish is to move the dust onto another area of the layout.
Is dust on the sandpaper a problem over time or not?
Yes Dave, dust is a problem all over my layout and worse on rough surfaces. I use a Mini-Vac attachment on my Shop Vacuum and it works very good. The Mini-Vac only had a short hose and that can be a problem. I bought a 10” extension hose (⅝”) to prevent the larger Shop Vac hose (1½”) from dinging scenery on my layout.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
Be aware that this paint is very thick. When you are done spraying, invert the can and spray out the excess to keep the nozzle clear. Sometimes, I have to take a piece of wire, remove the nozzle and manually clean it out. If you forget to do this, the next time you use the spray can you’ll have trouble getting any paint out.
Consider using cheap plain old cat litter sprinkled over white glue. I’ve found various sizes and texture in large containers. It seems the cheaper the better and no scented additives. Paint the glue around any roof details, sprinkle and shake off the loose for second application if you deem necessary.
MisterBeasley, Thanks for the warning. I’ve bought a can of Rustoleum Multicolor Textured spray paint in Desert Bisque. A friend found satellite views of roofs he knew to be gravel-covered and they were distinctly light brown, beige, sandy colored. The color of the stone probably varies depending on what’s available locally. But I’m going with what I saw in the satellite view. So tomorrow I hope to spray some pieces of cardboard as a test and see how it comes out. Hoping for the best, Jeff
Trainmasterg, Yes, there is. There are so many talented, knowledgeable modelers on this forum who are willing to share what they know and have done. Jeff
