I am scratch building a Z scale diorama as a challenge on another site. I am getting close to adding dirt and grass. As I am a beginner, I was wondering what some of you more experienced Z modelers use for grass? All input welcome. Thanks, Scott
Static grass (1mm is smallest) stands up quite straight by still is fairly tall. We see a lot or layouts and dioramas that just shake on the poly green/red/orange/yellow blend that is curly and WAY over sized. When I did my wife’s N scale baseball field, there was already the fine ground foam over (Woodland Scenics/Noch/ . . ) “Fine Turf”. This was completely white glued down, chunky, over scale (up to the players knees). I sanded it down a thin green film and it now looked like a well groomed baseball field! So if you are looking for a home ‘front yard’ or park, that’s what I would do. For fields, the static grass. The trick is use the good high voltage products and hold it CLOSE (2-5mm max away) AND do not swing-shake it (that’s an arc up down up). Tap it or put a pager motor to vibrate it out.
Not much to add to Jeff's post. I found this video inspiring (be it that you'll have to scale it down to Z...): Great results yet not overwhelmingly perfect Matt
I use a mix of static grass and various ground foams. I think they key thing I’ve learned is no matter what you use vary the color and consistency like the real world. Unless of course you want a field of some consistency which you do see
The scree capture shown only for “items you need” and “how it would be setup”. It is NOT the way it is used!!! The bottom surface needs to be CLOSE (about the height of the conductor clip), if you want it to stand up and not be a bunch of every which-way. The conductor can be farther away, as long as it is in the water that leads to the glue area. There are funnel/nozzle taper shape attachment that allows for much smaller coverage (like existing buildings). and the static grass should be the last (or almost last) to be put on. It it gets wet misting or overspray will knock it down, permanently.
Thanks for these tips. I just got one from ZTrains and will be trying it out for the first time. Who makes the 1mm static grass? Thanks. Jim
Static grass is available in any color and used by many hobbies. The wargamers have it, jewelry box makers use it to line their boxes, diorama guys use it too. It's often called static flock in other hobbies. Of all the hobbies that use it, Model Railroaders are seen as the most gullible, and are often ripped off. A static grass applicator can be sold for $3.99 as a fly swatter at harbor freight, or for $300 from a European model railroad supply company, it's all up to you how much you want to pay for the exact same stuff, slightly different presentation. This is the most I am willing to pay: https://www.amazon.com/Flocking-Applicator，Mini-Electrostatic-Machine，Portable-Modelling/dp/B08R9DF74W
You can get 1mm up to 12mm from https://www.wwscenics.com/ They also have a nice selection of Static Grass Applicators that you might want to checkout.
