Static grass on an existing completed layout

[carmelmodelrr]

My N scale layout is a "finished" layout which is about 12 ft by 10 ft.  Where there is grass--and there is a fair amount of grass--I used Woodland Scenics grass--which at the time of application several years ago looked fairly good.  Over time, the WS grass is beginning to show its age and I'm now wondering if static grass would be an improvement.  I have some "newbie" questions about static grass. 
1. Could I apply static grass over the existing WS grass?  Or do I need to remove the WS grass before applying static grass?
2. Could I use static grass in some areas and leave other areas in the existing WS grass?  Would that be too jarring?
3. Most of my grassy areas are fairly small--but there are a lot of them.  How difficult would it be to apply static grass?
4.  How expensive would it be to buy the applicators and grass--compared to re-dusting the existing grass with WS grass?
5. For N scale, what size static grass is best?

 Any other tips and comments are welcome.

Thank you for your advice.

carmelmodelrr
Richard Wroblewski

[Philip H]

2mm is about as short as you can go static grass wise.  And it looks good for mowed lawns etc.  You can definitely apply it over existing ground foam grass - most of the scenery videos on youtube now do just that.  A good static grass applicator is about $90 and there are several available from that price point and on up.  Grass is around $15-20 a bag depending on brand.

As to application - again youtube can be your friend.  Its not hard once you get the hang of it - just don't touch the static screen after you turn it on.

[ednadolski]

You can find 1mm if you are willing to look a bit.  Here is one example, tho there are others (e.g. World War Scenics): https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=52491.msg717851#msg717851

You can certainly apply over ground foam, it can even be used to create various undergrowth effects and such.  In fact, layering is usually a much better approach than just a single application, whether over GF or SG.  It really depends on what you want to achieve, what colors you want, what is already there, etc.

Ed

[MetroRedLine]

Also, if you want to model tall wild grasses, you can even go 4mm-6mm tall. Mixing different lengths and colors/shades (green with some yellow mixed in looks far more realistic than pure green) will yield a better look.

[randgust]

I've added some retro static grass and had success and failures.

I have to admit I have one of the cheaper D-cell battery applicators that's somewhat home-brew but will still put out a h$#@@ of a snap if you touch it to the ground pin while shaking.....   

I've used both Woodland Scenics and Silflor material.    No comparison; WS clumps and won't work for anything, fell right over, the Silflor worked very well, charged, and didn't clump and looked great.    I just tried the WS again on another spot application and total failure, I should have just spent the money and re-ordered the colors I wanted in Silflor.    I also did test applications on a little piece of test scenery before I went whole-hog.

The 'weedy lawn' on the left side of the Trunkeyville Ttrak module by the tank car grown around the foundation is all Silflor and still looks great.
http://www.randgust.com/TRKMOD26c.jpg

[ednadolski]

WS clumps and won't work for anything

Do you mean the old stuff in the shaker bottles, or the newer stuff that comes in the plastic bags?

Ed

[nuno81291]

I have to say I quite like the new woodland scenic static grass. Used it all over my now removed HO layout with great success. Have used silflor in the past and didn’t find any issue with the new WS grass.

[randgust]

Do you mean the old stuff in the shaker bottles, or the newer stuff that comes in the plastic bags?

Ed

Shaker bottles.    I'm probably going to toss them, particularly if there's a better material now.

[w neal]

Here is a lousy cell phone picture of a recent effort with Woodland Scenics grass. It seems to work well for me. Look beyond the tracks on the hillside. Its all 2mm stuff everywhere in this shot. There is some laying over after the sealant is applied though, but I don't really care as I'm after the wild field grass look. 2mm seems plenty tall for that in my opinion. But Its just one man's opinion, mind you.