This is really a matter of personal choice and what you want to get out of your model railway. There is a lot to be...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
Is DCC better than analogue?Read more -
The Evolution of BR Wagon ClassificationRead moreUnderstanding the evolution of wagon classification from diagrams to design codes is a fascinating journey through...
-
What is a sheet rail on a wagon?Read moreA sheet rail, more commonly referred to as a tarpaulin bar or longitudinal bar, is a metal bar that is suspended...
-
What is an Archimedean hand drill?Read moreAn Archimedean drill is a type of hand-operated drill that's often referred to as a push drill.The device looks a...
-
What clearance is required when telegraph lines cross railways?Read moreWhen telegraph lines cross railways, a certain clearance is required to ensure the safety and proper functioning of...
How can I model decay on model roads?
Making model roads is easy thanks to the range of products available that can be used to fashion a suitable road surface as well as ready-to-go road rolls for a quicker approach. However, making a road that appears 'well used' is a little more interesting.
If you are using a road roll, sheets or sections, stick-on potholes are readily available and can be used to make your road appear as though in disrepair. But if you are creating your own bespoke roads using a substance such as 'Smooth It' from Woodland Scenics, be sure to add a few potholes and imperfections before it sets.
Once your road surface is dried and painted, the surface can be taken back a little using fine-grit sandpaper, 1200 grit should work just fine.
Next, smudge a dark pigment or sanded pencil lead to create any tyre skid marks or oil spills on the road surface. Doing this will also help accentuate any potholes or cracks that you have already modelled into your design.
Finally, use a heavily diluted dark-coloured wash to add to areas of the roadway that would have seen the most usage.
There is no right or wrong way to create a decayed roadway, so play with the techniques to discover what works best for your road. The worst-case scenario is you having to sand back the paint and start again, so give it a go, you'll be impressed with the results.
Posted in: Best practices
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
O/HO 66mm x 1M Potholed Street
Price: £ 9.75O/HO 66mm x 1M Potholed Street Asphalt street with printed potholes and...
DualGrit Flexi Sander (3 Pcs − 9 x 1.9 x 0.6cm)
Price: £ 3.95DualGrit Flexi Sander (3 Pcs − 9 x 1.9 x 0.6cm)
Related posts
-
Do I need a respirator?If you are using an aerosol spray paint you should always use one. Always read the manufacturer’s... - How to remove super glue (cyanoacrylate)?Cyanoacrylate is best known as super glue. The best way to remove it is with acetone or an acetone-based product...
- What is the best wood for baseboards?The most common wood for baseboards is probably chipboard as this is relatively inexpensive. Plywood is another...
- How do I stick parts together for a test fit?There are several trains of thought on the best way to secure parts together temporarily. Some suggest using a small...
- How to clean model railways track?There is of course the old tried and tested method, the track rubber which does the job, no railway modeller should...