Nubie question [Archive] - ModelRailroadForums.com

ndazzle

10-03-2005, 04:02 AM

I am new to the forum. I am working on my 1st layout, its small 4x6 but its going to have allot going on. Anyway part of the layout requires a line to be elevated, and I am building a trestle system out of wooden girders. I need to know how you can paint cork a concreate color, and I tried it with WS paint but it seemed to soak in, or should I put many more coats on. Also with painting the rails, you would paint the ties also right? Since they get break dust all over also.

Lady_Railfan

10-03-2005, 05:12 AM

I'm guessing here, but I bet acrylic hobby paints would work on cork. I've used craft paints successfully on wood, plastic and ceramic materials. The ones I've used can be thinned with water and/or mixed to create special colors, and you can clean brushes and containers (and hands, skin, and clothing if necessary ;) with soap and water.

I'm using the acrylics on wood, and will spray them with a clear polyurethane sealer because the buildings I'm making will be outdoors.

I'm not sure about painting rails and ties. Mine stay outside, so they weather on their own.

CBCNSfan

10-03-2005, 03:57 PM

Hi ndazzle and welcome. If the paint is being absorbed by the cork, you could put a coat of shellac or varnish as a sealer, then use the paint of your choice. I would think the acrylic craft paints would seal and color the cork for you and most likely a color close to a concrete color should be available. Just an idea, some one else may have a better one :D

http://bestsmileys.com/textinbubble1/13.gif Willis

grande man

10-03-2005, 04:03 PM

I'm thinking latex house paint would work well on cork.

CBCNSfan

10-03-2005, 04:09 PM

Hi again, with regards to painting the rails and ties, hminky (Harold) has an online article about just that here is the link http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/weathered_track/

http://bestsmileys.com/textinbubble1/13.gif Willis

SpaceMouse

10-03-2005, 05:15 PM

I painted mine with artist acrylics.

http://www.vitaconnect.com/photos/layout02.jpg

All the center tracks are either black or silver EZ track.

The two outside loops in the foreground are flex track and cork painted grey with artist acrylics. I think it took two coats.

CBCNSfan

10-03-2005, 05:38 PM

Well there you go ndazzle, with a photo and all, hard to beat that.
Hi Chip, the layout looks good, I use the acrylic craft paints also, to me they're pretty hard to beat and even with two coats are much cheaper than any kind of sealer. Keep us posted as you go along that looks kind of interesting. I'm also wondering what the dimensions of your layout are?
http://bestsmileys.com/textinbubble1/13.gif Willis

ndazzle

10-03-2005, 11:28 PM

Ok cool, the acrylic sounds like it should work on the cork, thanks. Oh and that layout looks a little like mine but mine is not as along. Could you tell me how to post a photo? Thanks. :)

SpaceMouse

10-04-2005, 12:01 AM

CBCNSfan

10-04-2005, 12:10 AM

Could you tell me how to post a photo? No problem, it's located in Forum Help and Information this is a link to the pictorial instructions

http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2069

http://bestsmileys.com/textinbubble1/13.gif Willis

CBCNSfan

10-04-2005, 12:18 AM

Hi Chip, seems like a fun layout, old west with some strange hobo's riding your trains. Ah! well that's what it's all about :D My first was a 5 X 9 ft.

http://bestsmileys.com/textinbubble1/13.gif Willis

ndazzle

10-09-2005, 04:33 AM

Actually, I found something that will work great. I bought some Tamyia acrylic red-brown paint, and I tried it on a scrap piece of track, it looks just as good, really flat too. Only thing is there bottles are small, and I may need several to do the layout.

ndazzle

10-09-2005, 04:41 AM

Here are the pictures. Since this is a fictional layout. I am calling it a Intermodal Priority transfer yard if there is such a thing. :D

modelmaker

10-09-2005, 09:04 AM

I don't get it! Why are you painting the cork roadbed? Won't it be covered up by ballast? I just don't see the benefit and I've laid 1000s of feet of cork roadbed and track.

Just curious. Jay.

jbaakko

10-09-2005, 09:13 AM

I'm curious to see where that grade is going to lead to!

Old 97

10-09-2005, 01:33 PM

I don't get it! Why are you painting the cork roadbed? Won't it be covered up by ballast? I just don't see the benefit and I've laid 1000s of feet of cork roadbed and track.

Just curious. Jay.

I was wondering the same thing but then I realized that it's his layout and he has "Artistic License".
Also, his skill level may be a factor in his choosing to paint the cork roadbed.

That's my take on it anyways....... :D

Old 97

10-09-2005, 01:46 PM

Here are the pictures.

Hey nDazzle,
Everything looks good.
I was wondering what material you have used as a tabletop for your layout?
In the second pic, it looks like you have a layer of fiberboard and then a second layer of some sort of insulation board.
What's the scoop?? :confused:

ndazzle

10-09-2005, 06:44 PM

Let me explain. I though about painting the cork a cement color just for the trestle and bridges I was going to do that so it would be easier to mount the track and not use ballast on them. But not sure if I am still going to do that. As for the layers. This whole thing started out just as a work table for my rc cars, then I got the idea for the train layout so I just added on to it with the fiberboard. They were not even so I had some drywall sheets to smooth it out. The blue insolation board was perfect because it gave me a chance to mount everything and if I needed changes I could just take the nails out or push them in. Yeah I am nubie. Making changes along the way but it will be all good when its done. :cool:

ndazzle

02-22-2006, 03:59 PM

Hi all, its been a while but here are some updated photos. I added and removed a few things and its coming out nice. I decided to go with a cement plant theme for the main operations with a Walthers background kit added later.