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- From: booth@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (George Booth)
- Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 22:24:14 GMT
- Subject: Re: HO scale mud and dirt
- Message-ID: <45460035@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM>
- Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Loveland, CO
- Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!hpscit.sc.hp.com!hplextra!hpfcso!hplvec!booth
- Newsgroups: rec.models.railroad
- References: <1993Jan20.182154.27495@ulysses.att.com>
- Lines: 33
-
- In rec.models.railroad, smb@research.att.com (Steven Bellovin) writes:
-
- Any thoughts on how to simulate 3-D clumps of mud and dirt in HO scale?
-
- The old "zip texturing" method makes *excellent* dirt, clumps and all.
-
- Obtain some dry paint pigments at your favorite art store or find some
- commercial zip texture kits at a train store. It's a little expensive,
- but goes a long way. Get earth colors, of course.
-
- Mix the paint pigment into some dry plaster - Hydrocal works very nicely
- for this. Use the pigment sparingly; it's easy to add more but kind of
- hard to get it out. Mix thoroughly.
-
- Paint some water on the area to be made dirty and sift the plaster mix
- over it. The plaster will absorb water and bond with the surface yet
- will still maintain its fine texture. Put a little in a spoon, hold
- the spoon over the dirt area and tap the side of the spoon - little
- clumps will fall off the sppon. Maybe spritz a little water over
- the area and add some more. Repeat until you like the looks.
-
- If you want to make a nice dirt road, mix up some "water putty" to
- a heavy cream consistency and gently pour it over the road area. It
- has enough surface tension to form a raised area, yet stays nice and
- smooth and flat. If you pre-wet the area, it will flow into smoother
- edges. Sift some of the plaster mix over it for color and texture.
- When it dries, lightly rub it with a Bright Boy to make smooth areas
- where it was worn by tires.
-
- Sometimes the old ideas and techniques are worth trying...
-
- --------
- George Booth
-