Is anyone adding any kind of grit when they build roads on their N scale layout? I see lots of references to adding grit but many seem to be HO stuff and not N. That would seem appropriate for HO scale but I am not sure about N. I could add sifted sand and make it real small but I wonder if its still too big. I am doing asphalt roads in the 50's by the way. Thanks.
For N scale in my opinion, flat paint is enough texture unless you are modeling a coarse gravel road. I have seen stuff like sand paper used but it does not look good for my taste. The grit would probably scale out to chunks bigger than N scale golf balls.
Like Russ, I now just use paint. For older roads with crack, I just paint them on. I use styrene sheets or good old joint compound. I used to use matte board, but it will curl at the edges when wetted for other scenery nearby. I haven't tried sandpaper like 800 grit per inch, which would give you a grain size of 0.2 inches in N scale. Hmm, that's worth an experiment. . .
I have had very good success using Z scale ballast in "dark gray" for roads. Spread it, screen flat with a small board, and use diluted white glue just like ballast. You end up with a very fine texture on the road, and a nice look. If you're modeling newish asphalt it works really well. Also a really easy way to do parking lots.
Great idea, Leo. I'm planning on many different surfaces, and I'll try the Z ballast for a new parking lot or two.
Leo; That sounds geat! Do you have any pictures? Making road that way would make a good Reduced Reality TV episode.
Good idea, thank you. I have this bag of Highball ballast that I dont know what to do with but now I do! Way cool.
sandpaper roads I have used sandpaper for roads as well and find it a good medium to work with. These are all sandpaper roads and streets - I've used up to 600 grit and been quite pleased with it - the only draw back is that cutting it eats up x-acto blades....:tb-wink:
Here's a couple quick snaps on two different modules of this method. It's highly likely I will do this in a future episode, although probably after DCE.
N scale being what it is and its small size often requires concessions to scale to achieve texyures/details that often are easier in the larger scales using scale size materials. Concrete is one of those difficult to model textures as well as asphalt and concrete or gravel roads. Using plastic sheet to model concrete walls even with the correct coloring looks ok at a distance, but when you start zooming in the effect looks worse and worse. Same with roads, at three feet, painting is effective, start using digital photography and the bubble is burst on the illusion. How your going to accomplish the task depends on how well you want the effect to hold up in close ups, whether eyeballs or photos. My opinion, you can get some effect on texture during painting by holding the air brush at a distance (using acyrilics) and letting the paint dust on. This often appears to be the most scale like. Problem is its difficult to control, (usually because its on the layout) Sandpaper in 320 400 600 grits are the most useful and do a decent job of actually having the texture of a road that is difficult to capture using paint by itself. On roads I would use 400 grit, after light paint coats some of the texture will be reduced and make the road look more to scale. Additional benees is when you weather the road the texture will affect the weathering like tar in its appearance. experiment, test, use different paints, crushed powders, and I'm sure you'll find a happy medium. Keep in mind the farther from your view the less (excessive) you have to get with the details and texturing. Have fun. Rob
this gravel road is made with aluminum oxide sand blasting medium used for etching glass that I got from Michael's.
Cut from the backside. The roadway surfaces looks good. river_eagle 's grit blasting roads look good for a gravel road also. Hmmmm, Michael's has grit for sale? Then again, so does Harbour Freight. Bob in IDaho
These gritty roads all look great! Really great. If I needed lines on the road what would work on the gritty surfaces? Thanks everyone for the great photos and great ideas. Very helpful.
Decor Sand was the only thing I could find at Michael's. The light brown looked the best, but they were out of that in the "fine" grade. I couldn't find any sand blasting grit at Michael's store.
The stuff is called "Sand Etch" abrasive refill for use with the "Sand Etch" glass etching system made by Armour Products in Hawthorne, NJ the item # is 70-9110 12oz container. contents; brown aluminum oxide. I bought it there 3-4 years ago link to product http://www.armourproducts.com/item--12oz-Sand-Etch-Abrasive-Refill--70-9110.html I you decide to go this way let me know, the method for application is a bit differnt form standard technique, but super simple to prevent the "wet" look of the finished product.
River Eagle, could you post how you use glue down that material for us all? I think those gravel areas you did look awesome! This thread has some fantastic ideas and models, thanks guys. I have to go work on my roads now...
