Brick Mortar... Whats the secret?

Tbone Oct 5, 2009

  1. Biased turkey

    Biased turkey TrainBoard Member

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    Well done Munch, nice job.
    The mortar lines are oversized ( I don't think one can do better in N scale ) but not too much, they can fool the eyes.
    What if the color of the styrene ( and it's often the case ) doesn't match the brick color we would like to use ?
    I'm asking the question because right now I'm working on the Walthers Merchant Row II and the styrene brick walls are some kind of "mustard" color ?

    Jacques



     
  2. LOU D

    LOU D TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Brian!!Unfortunately,I moved several years ago,that entire RR is gone.My new space was so much different,even though I managed to get most of it into the new house,I decided to just scrap it,and start over.I built the whole thing in 8 months.Wherever you see tracks go under a mountain,the mountains are completely removeable for track access..My new RR will be the same way.Here's more pics from it..
     

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  3. Munch

    Munch E-Mail Bounces

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    Lou, I think your new layout looks great! My favorite part of this hobby is creating the scenery/countryside/etc. and you've done great!
    I thought about the color of the mortar before I did it. I just prefer white and the contrast it gives. After I sand the pieces, I give each a little dusting of black with the airbrush, so that helps tone things down, and highlights the texture a bit.

    Why would anyone market sheets of brick-textured styrene in mustard yellow?:pbaffled:
    *Possible solution.....
    "(If you wanted to have a different brick color...you could spray the new color, then the white mortar color, then sand. It should just reveal the new color on the bricks, and leave the mortar lines. I think....)" Worth a try.

    Brad
     
  4. Tbone

    Tbone Permanently dispatched

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    Lou the photos are awesome!!!

    Last night I tried the mortar lines.I used thinned down aged concrete and it turned out good.I will post pictures as soon as it dries.Thanks for the help guys.
     
  5. Fotheringill

    Fotheringill TrainBoard Member

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    You can get down to 600 grit sandpaper locally at any Ace Hardware store. 300 should do the trick, though.
     
  6. Munch

    Munch E-Mail Bounces

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    As far as using ordinary sandpaper, I tried that first, without a sanding block, and got an uneven result. So using the sanding method, I would recommend using a block, or better yet...the flat foam sanding pad. :)
     
  7. N_S_L

    N_S_L TrainBoard Member

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    Oh right! With my hand shakyness, that mortar line will look more like an EKG printout than a nice straight mortar line.

    :pconfused:
     
  8. Chaya

    Chaya TrainBoard Supporter

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    Somehow I managed to miss this post in the beginning of the thread. Have to echo the others: what a great layout. Terrific track design, too. Did you publish the track plan anywhere? (Or the layout?)
     
  9. Tbone

    Tbone Permanently dispatched

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    LOL...I know what you mean.
     
  10. GizmoSr

    GizmoSr TrainBoard Member

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    I spray paint the bldg & then use colored pencils on the brick face. This can be a time consuming project.
     
  11. gregamer

    gregamer TrainBoard Supporter

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    I wanted to try my hand at washing something, so I built this tunnel portal and painted it with Floquil Cement. I used lots of thinner to get the paint to run into the cracks.

    [​IMG]
    Before

    [​IMG]
    After

    Now I just need to bust out my airbrush and hit this thing with a bunch of Grimy Black.

    And here 's a station I have in progress.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 9, 2009
  12. Tbone

    Tbone Permanently dispatched

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    Greg the Portal is awesome.I like the green mortar.It kinda gives it that mossy look.Thanks for sharing the photo it gives me an idea for a module I am building with portals.:thumbs_up::thumbs_up:
     
  13. PLMatthews88

    PLMatthews88 New Member

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    Does the red oxide auto primer affect the plastic?
     
  14. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I just finished a small depot which has a red brick chimney. First, I painted it completely with Floquil Primer Gray. Then I carefully dry brushed on the chosen red hue. This left the cement lines and worked just fine.
     
  15. PLMatthews88

    PLMatthews88 New Member

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    Lou - are you saying that you can use red automobile primer w/o affecting the plastic? Rustoleum?

     

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