Weekend Update 12/23/12

[Puddington]

Max; N scale perfection..... she's a beauty !

[mmagliaro]

Nothing big this week, but I did get some "dirt" down using Ian's sanded grout. I was worried the color would be too light so as it was drying I rubbed real dirt into it, but you can see the light areas around the edge so I'm not done. Also glued some scenery around the edges to see how the grout liked glue.


...
...

Love the look of the sanded grout!  I don't know.  I like that lighter shade near the edge of the road.  I don't know why, but it looks right to me.   I think I expect the dirt to be a different color just as it meets the road - whether lighter or darker, I don't know, but different looks good.

[Scottl]

I really like the texture and tone variations in the sanded grout as well, it is particularly effective.  Also, your roads have a nice "worn" look to them, and the texture is very convincing as well.

[davefoxx]

You don't mix it. I put it on dry where I want it with a spoon or a small sifter. I then wet it with rubbing alcohol and add my matte medium.

Interesting!  But, I would imagine that Chris' method may be necessary when covering slopes.

DFF

[up1950s]

Fantastic results Ian/Max

What color sanded grout is that ?

What is matt medium ?

[jmlaboda]

In case anyone would be interested in modeling some of Conrail's business cars sides are available from Laser Horizons that can be applied to the MT Plan 3959 sleeper - lounge observation car.  See the LH page at the N-scale Varnish website...
http://n-scalevarnish.info/LH.htm

[DKS]

What is matt medium ?

Matte medium is a clear acrylic paint found in craft/artist supply stores, such as Michael's. Artists use it to create a (nearly) flat finish over a painting that is ordinarily glossy, or as a thinner to create semi-transparent colors. Modelers use it mostly as a bonding agent for ballast. You can substitute thinned white glue for matte medium--in fact, I prefer white glue over matte medium as the latter will sometimes form whitish globs (I call them "snots"), especially in the presence of alcohol.



I'm really liking how this is coming together, Chris. In particular, I like your inclusion of the weigh scale plate.

[nkalanaga]

"Matte Medium" and "Gloss Medium" are the bases for acrylic paints without any pigment.  Basically, they dry to rubber, and are waterproof after drying, unlike white glue.

Like David, I tried it once, and prefer white glue.  Besides being cheaper, and not leaving white globs, matte medium can have a disagreeable odor, depending on the brand and age.  And the glue can be used for other stuff, like building models.

[Chris333]

You don't mix it. I put it on dry where I want it with a spoon or a small sifter. I then wet it with rubbing alcohol and add my matte medium.

   oops      Does it get darker with the matte medium applied?

The grout is Polyblend "Fawn".

I have already drybrushed the darker areas lighter and light areas darker, far from done.

[cv_acr]

Did some lettering upgrading to a few HO scale Life-Like/Walthers Proto1000 CP Newsprint boxcars.

The stock models are missing the NSC logos, plate C stencil and reflective diamonds along the bottom of the car. These were added as well as COTS panels, ACI labels and U-1 wheel inspection dots to each car. Each of the 4 cars has a different variation in the layout of the ACI, COTS and U-1 decals. Additional decals were a combination of bits and pieces from various MicroScale and Highball Graphics data sets.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I stole the idea from Ian, but yeah it is pretty easy to spread with a butter knife. I think it works better at least 1/16" thick, it doesn't spread easy when you go thinner. (then again I may have mixed it wrong?)

Wait, you got it wet first? I usually throw down some glue, sprinkle it on, pat it down with something, then come back and dust off the excess. I had never thought of using the grout like, well, grout.

Also, holy shitsnacks theres a bunch of awesome stuff today!

Here's my contribution, I ran the most PC train I could think of at the B&O museum today:







At one point some Reading hoppers rolled over, so I figured I might as well stage the obligatory photo:

[sirenwerks]

In the background is the building with no name 

If you're going to refer to it that way, perhaps you should use Eastwood in the name.

[Ian MacMillan]

  oops      Does it get darker with the matte medium applied?

Live and learn!

It will get slightly darker, but not by much. Once fully dry its about the same color as the sticker.

Interesting!  But, I would imagine that Chris' method may be necessary when covering slopes.

DFF

You dont have to. The consistency of the grout allows it to stick to grades really well. I just dusted it on these grades with a small hand sieve. Wet with alcohol and add glue

Matte medium is a clear acrylic paint found in craft/artist supply stores, such as Michael's. Artists use it to create a (nearly) flat finish over a painting that is ordinarily glossy, or as a thinner to create semi-transparent colors. Modelers use it mostly as a bonding agent for ballast. You can substitute thinned white glue for matte medium--in fact, I prefer white glue over matte medium as the latter will sometimes form whitish globs (I call them "snots"), especially in the presence of alcohol.

I have noticed the snots every once and a while as well but for me it has been because I had not shaken the bottle enough before I first started using it that work session. I make my matte medium in small batches, 50/50 with warm water, and keep it in a small squeeze honey bottle that has a nice tapered cap.

I banged out a bunch of trees the last few days. Just waiting until after Christmas to start planting them. I need to get as much done as I can as my modeling money is about to go buh bye...I estimated my taxes, and despite my claiming of 0 I still owe $2700.  Time to set up sending my monthly modeling money to Uncle Sam each month.

[mark dance]

Finished weathering the last rolling stock needed for an operating session.












3 months after starting: 45 locos and 408 cars weathered.  Glad to have that behind me!

Merry Chrismas All!

md

[seusscaboose]

grabbed this while running down at the B&O


more can be seen here
https://picasaweb.google.com/101925358295551536855/FJPNTRAKZooModule