Manicured Front Lawns

[TrainCat2]

OK Guru's ...

What product(s) do y'all recommend to create nice manicured grass lawns. All of the products I have been looking at are for taller grass. Super short grass has me stumped. Any suggestions??

[DKS]

I've used the finest ground foam I can find. Not precisely the look I've been after (which I might guess is similar to what you're after), but I haven't been able to find anything better.

[sparky]

The old school method of dyed sawdust still looks the most convincing to me for short, manicured grass.

[ednadolski]

Scale lawnmower, or electric razor?   

[Ian MacMillan]

I've used 2mm static Silfor.Looks pretty damn good in HO. For N, I would maybe go over with the neck trimmer of an electric razor to cut it down shorter.

[asciibaron]

i have seen metal filings used which were then painted.  it's much like the static grass method but takes a steady hand with the magnet.

-steve

[wm3798]

Appropriately colored felt makes a nice golf green!

Lee

[Rowan]

The old school method of dyed sawdust still looks the most convincing to me for short, manicured grass.

I agree.

 

[sparky]

I've used 2mm static Silfor.Looks pretty damn good in HO. For N, I would maybe go over with the neck trimmer of an electric razor to cut it down shorter.

Ian, surely you jest.  Right?  Please tell me you're kidding... 

i have seen metal filings used which were then painted.  it's much like the static grass method but takes a steady hand with the magnet.

Absolutely.  Just like steel wool makes great foliage.  Don't worry about any loose particles- the motor magnets in your $100 locomotives will pick them up for you.  ;D

[TrainCat2]

Thanks Guys,

I am going to try a few. I also sent an email to Scenic Express asking what are the finest foam products they have. No answer yet.

[asciibaron]

Thanks Guys,

I am going to try a few. I also sent an email to Scenic Express asking what are the finest foam products they have. No answer yet.

why, all of their products are the finest

[Ian MacMillan]

Ian, surely you jest.  Right?  Please tell me you're kidding... 

Nope, I'm not! ;D

[Andrew Hutchinson]

You might want to look at flocking used in furniture applications. I got some Suede Tex stuff from Lee Valley in Vancouver, BC. The colour I got was "quite" green. I am not happy with my attempts to airbrush it with white and then cad red and yellow but the texture is superb. When things get warmer I'll have another go. In future I think I would go for a lighter , paler colour and then airbrush it darker.  I was using golden air medium and air paints as this is one operation you don't want to cheap out on. You also have to prepare the glue surface exactly as you would want the lawn to look as the product is so thin the glue does most of the forming. Avoid coarse brushes unless you can organize them into mower lines.

 I'm a sawdust guy through and through but for N scale flocking is where it is at.

Andrew Hutchinson

[DKS]

Just be careful using superfine flocking. It can cause respiratory irritation. I've heard of some flocking that even comes with warnings that respirators are required.

[sparky]

Just be careful using superfine flocking. It can cause respiratory irritation. I've heard of some flocking that even comes with warnings that respirators are required.

Well that's just flocking great...