Muddy Track

[OHCR 4218]

I am planning a scrap yard on our club layout and wondering what others have done to simulate mud? All the scrap yards I have seen around here, and probably most locations have rail barely sticking out of the ground with no sign of ties though I know they are there.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Unsanded grout.

[Spades]

1.)make sure track is bulletproof.  Electrically and tractability wise.  2.) Recess right of way base to top of tie height, insert track fill with your choice of material., plaster, Spackle, sculptamold, etc to the rail base and cover/bury ties. 3.) Paint rail 4,) Place ground cover.

This is just a suggestion.

[bman]

Unsanded grout.

Not to hijack the thread or anything but he and I discussed this the other night looking at the area on the layout at the club.  We've seen what you've done with it.  A trip to the local Home Depot or Lowes is probably in order to see what colors are available.  The idea is since this is a club layout that if for whatever reason the  method used to fill in the tracks is chipped, the color will not be different.  Like adding color to plaster is another method.   That way if the plaster is chipped the area chipped is the same color as the area around it.  He's, as well as I, wondering who else has tried this and the methods used. 

[tom mann]

You could mix in a little gloss medium with the unsanded grout for a "wet" look.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Sorry for my quick reply. I was on my phone when I saw the topic.

This photo shows it to good effect. This is the blackest stuff I could find.


From: http://conrail1285.com/playing-with-photo-backdrops/

It still doesn't have that complete black muck look I've seen in lots of engine terminals, so I've though about hitting it with some black paint. If I wanted it to look wet, maybe some gloss black. I might get around to that some day, but I'd try it on a study piece somewhere first.

But yeah, unsanded grout. It's the ***** when it comes to doing stuff like this. I'd say, get a good base color, and feel free to blend and paint if neccessary to achieve the look you're going for.

I'm following this thread closely, because I love stuff like this.

Also, Brian, thanks! Glad my stuff has been useful. I like your idea of using it for good future proofing too.

[wazzou]

I wonder if you could experiment with an application of Future floor polish on it, either brushed on, or it does spray nicely through an airbrush.

[nuno81291]

I have used a not very diluted amount of india ink to darken a desired area for oil spill look etc. gloss medium works as well (something along the lines of mod podge or liquitex)

[Steve S]

It still doesn't have that complete black muck look I've seen in lots of engine terminals, s

You could try the black powder that settles in the bottom of a bag of charcoal.  You may need to grind it up if it's not fine enough.

Steve S

[milw12]

Ed, for clarification, is that the blackest unsanded grout you could find? I'm going for a similar look, but all I have is some "Fawn" unsanded grout from Home Depot, which is great for gravel lots and what not but for industrial areas not so much.

I know the names and brands change on this stuff all the time but I just need a ballpark to get started.

Thanks.

[Santa Fe Guy]

To darken up your grout try dabbing on then scrubbing in some black weathering powders. Works very well IMO.
Rod.

[Lemosteam]

To darken up your grout try dabbing on then scrubbing in some black weathering powders. Works very well IMO.
Rod.

Me likey this idea, or maybe try some (drum roll please) NELOUBE!  Seriously though, its capillary ability is awesome.

[chuck geiger]

Art stores use to sell powdered paint, black and white tempera paint. It was great. I use dulluted
Wally World "Folk Art" PAVEMENT color.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed, for clarification, is that the blackest unsanded grout you could find? I'm going for a similar look, but all I have is some "Fawn" unsanded grout from Home Depot, which is great for gravel lots and what not but for industrial areas not so much.

I know the names and brands change on this stuff all the time but I just need a ballpark to get started.

Thanks.

Yep, it's the blackest I could find (I think). But, if the texture is good, coloring should be easy with paints, ink, etc...