Favorite gap filler?

[mike_lawyer]

Hi everyone -

I have an area of my layout where I am installing two Kibri viaduct bridges, and I have some gaps between the bridge and the surrounding extruded foam insulation.  I need a gap filler for that area that can be reasonably strong, as roadbed and track are going over it.  What is everyone's favorite gap filling product?  I have seen some people suggest spackling compound, and I might try that.  Does anyone have any recommendations?  I'd like something that is easy to work with and will be reasonably strong.

Mike

[John]

Spackling should do the job for you .. stuff some cheap toilet paper into the gap, then cover it with spackle .   the roadbed and track will have their own strength - so a little gap won't be a problem ..  .. have fun

Ok .. now lets see how far this thread drifts

[dem34]

I use a slightly thicker mix of sculptamold and apply it with a small Clay carving tool or popsicle stick.

[wvgca]

just about any type of spackling or plaster joint compound will work ... it doesn't need all that much strength .. [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[wazzou]

My suggestion echoes those above, but I always lean toward less is better. 
If you can cut some more foam to approximately fill the gap and glue that in place to get you closer, you can then use the Light Weight Spackle to get you the rest of the way there and at the same time create the land forms that suit you.

[robert3985]

For gaps in scenery and around bridges, abutments, tunnel portals etc, I use Sculptamold.  Good stuff and won't crack and fall off like a coating of Spackle might.  If I want it stronger, I wait until it's dry then soak it with runny CA...which makes it rock solid. 

I can easily make it either smooth or give it texture to almost match any existing adjacent scenery carving/casting i've done.

Photo (1) - Big gaps between tunnel liner and chiseled-out hole in pre-existing rock face on Nate's layout:


Photo (2) - Gap on opposite end of tunnel filled with lots of Scuptamold and shaped to resemble rocks:


Photo (3) - Dried Sculptamold painted to match surrounding pre-existing rockwork:


Works well for me!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[signalmaintainer]

Plus one for Sculptamold. Easy to apply with a pallette knife, doesn't crack, and it's easy to paint or stain. You can vary the amount of water added to make it stiff as peanut butter or more flowing like cake batter.

For "fill and forget" applications, stiff is the way to go.

Michaels or other art stores have it, or find it online. Great stuff.

[wm3798]

If the gap is less than an 1/8" spackle will be fine.  But it tends to shrink and buckle in wider gaps, unless, as has been suggested, you stuff it with something to reduce the amount you need.
I prefer Sculptamold as well.  Longer working time, easily dyed with acrylic paints to help it blend, and less shrinkage.  It also is my primary hardshell finish material, so it matches up texture wise.



Once you blend it all with scenery materials it doesn't much matter, but I prefer to be consistent with my base materials.

Lee

[oakcreekco]

Sculptamold is my preference too.