Questions for Sanded Grout fans

[Cajonpassfan]

Yesterday I tried to experiment with sanded grout for basic ground cover over latex paint and can’t say I’m liking the results much. It looks okay, but dries dusty even after vacuuming....it would need to be sealed. Even after rewetting it. It’s also brittle when thin and I’ve had pieces flake off. Doesn’t have to be applied thicker?
So, a question for those of you who use this material successfully: what’s your secrets?
Thanks in advance,
Otto K.

[ednadolski]

The thicker you make it, the heavier it gets...  rather like concrete.

I'm not much of a fan of grout, because it looks like, well, grout.   The texture is not really a great representation of anything in nature.

Ed

[mmagliaro]

I used it in my industrial yard with good results.  But I just mixed it in with the latex paint that I used for the tan/brown base color and brushed it on.  Then, while the paint was still wet, I lightly dusted the dry grout over the top.  So the layer of actual grout was nonexistant.  It was more like stone dust mixed into paint, and I don't have any issues with it breaking off like brittle concrete because there really is no "layer" of grout.
The dirt on the ground here is done with grout.  In some places, I sanded it afterward to make it very uniform, and in some places, I left it a little sloppy with gouges in it.

[tom mann]

Unsanded Grout might be a better way to go as a base layer for subsequent, higher textured layers. I know Ed is fan though and probably has a blog post about it.

[wazzou]

@mmagliaro Do you have a photo shot in daylight?

[mmagliaro]

@mmagliaro Do you have a photo shot in daylight?

Here are a couple:

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I’ll keep plugging at it...
That’s a nice scene, Max!
Otto

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Unsanded Grout might be a better way to go as a base layer for subsequent, higher textured layers. I know Ed is fan though and probably has a blog post about it.

Tom's spot on here. I also recommend using the unsanded stuff to represent dirt on terrain because of that dusty texture. It's much finer than most "dirt" options.

The sanded stuff is good for gravel, again because of the grain size. It's also why I use it for ballast but I have to mix in various colors to get enough contrast to look good for something like ballast.

[squirrelhunter]

I've had success mixing the unsanded grout with Arizona Rock and Mineral ballast for base ground cover. I put it down with a small spice jar with a scrap piece of panty hose stretched tight rubber banded over the opening. Then I fix it down with scenery glue misted on pretty heavy. If you spray the glue on and you get droplets, it will make the surface too uneven, looks like massive (for N scale) potholes.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've had success mixing the unsanded grout with Arizona Rock and Mineral ballast for base ground cover. I put it down with a small spice jar with a scrap piece of panty hose stretched tight rubber banded over the opening. Then I fix it down with scenery glue misted on pretty heavy. If you spray the glue on and you get droplets, it will make the surface too uneven, looks like massive (for N scale) potholes.

Oh damn, ok, so I think I should probably talk about my process for ground cover too then.

I usually end up just painting on a layer of glue or paint and then sift the stuff onto that. After it's dry I then, and this is the important thing, either brush  off what hasn't stuck for reuse or pat it down with a pad of styrofoam to get an even compacted texture.

You can see the steps in use here: http://conrail1285.com/winter-forest-technique/

[nuno81291]

I use a similar technique to Ed. I paint acrylic base color and sift it over that while wet. Great results for gravel/sand/dirt  areas. I have misted glue on it after spraying with iso but find it can get sort of uneven colors. Easier just to go back over with more paint/redo an area if unhappy with the color IME

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks guys, all good info.
Otto