We have all seen an abandoned car, truck, or bus setting in a weed-filled lot or field with the weeds growing up all around the vehicle.The weeds are a “jungle” of individual thick stems and leaves.
Need suggestions/recommendations as to what to use for these tall weeds in HO scale.
Thanks.
I have use old paint brush bristles. The tan colored ones from an old house paint brush. You can bundle some together and put them in holes in groups. If you trim them just a little over axle height you can put them between the rails in yards and sidings to keep cars from rolling around.
Pete
Brush bristles, yarn, manila twine, Woodland scenics weed fibers, Stilfor brush clumps, chunks of coconut husk door mats.
In addition to the other great ideas I’ll add Sisal twine or Sisal rope. To model clumps of weeds, take a small bundle of strands in your fingers and cut it to length then stick it in a blob of “goop like” glue.
For larger areas, static grass flock and a static grass applicator. Flock is available up to 6mm in length. Some clumps of Sisal rope mixed in will look good as well. Flatten some areas into the glue a bit to make matted areas and break up the uniformity of the flock.
I bought a package of “field grass” at a show. It comes in long strands, all lined up in the package. To apply it, I cut off a section 3/8 to 1/2 inch long, apply a strip of tacky glue, and stick one end of the grass strands in the glue. Then I arrange the strands in place. The glue is thick enough to hold it, and then the glue dries clear.
Because you cut the grass yourself, you can determine how tall you want it.
Jute twine laid in a mat, glued down, then teased upright with a pet grooming brush.
Woody plants made with sisal- and coconut fibres. Grasses are jute twine and cleaning cloth. Another glued-down ‘mat’ of jute twine is halfway back on the left.
And another ‘mat’:
The jute is hard to paint. Pastels might be a better option. Mine’s a winter layout so I don’t worry about it.
Mike
Here are two examples of Silflor 6.5 mm static grass appliied with static grass gun.
Guy
Guy. great looking grass!! Looks like I’ll have to invest in a static gun.
Now you got to include a DCC sound equipped Toro mower[bow]
Dave
I use WS field grass:
I haven’t done vast fields off tall grass, though. Field grass as packaged is a tad tedious for large areas.
I have also used balls of poly fiber and ground foam to simulate underbrush:
As well as WS Foliage:
Nick
Here’s an excellent source of ground cover, grass etc
I posted on them a couple of weeks ago, great service.
Guy, in what scale are you working? That’s a very attractive model of a horse-drawn grader and would be suitable on my '30s-era layout. Is it available commercially or did you scratchbuild it? Oh, and nice work on the grass, too. [swg]
Wayne
Wayne,
I’m in HO scale. The grader is from Rio Grande Models. Here is a link:
http://www.riograndemodels.com/index.htm
Eric (the man who is Rio Grande Models) has a great selection of white metal kits that cover a range of equipment used in logging. mining and narrow gauge operations. He also has an extensive line of cast metal trucks as well as rolling stock for Westside and V&T lines…
Guy
Thanks for that link, Guy. Looks like I’ve got another place to spend my modelling money. [swg]
Wayne
Michaels crafts has what are called Pot Toppers. These work great for smaller areas. There was a discussion here recently about these that had pics…Mike
Yes! I just picked up a couple of those myself. Here’s a link.
They come in 2 sizes, 4" and 6" diameters (I think). I picked up one of each to try them out. You’ll find them in the floral section at Michaels near all the dried flowers, floral wire, vases, etc.
LOTS of Woodland Scenics “field grass”
