Roads

[Richie]

How do you model your roads, I have looked at roads on a roll or using scatter but not sure which is the best. Any ideas?

[Hereford]

Hi Richie, I have used fine grade (800) wet & dry abrasive paper stuck to the road surface with contact adhesive, and thin strips of masking tape to represent the road lines.

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/2971/roadsigns05eb1.jpg

[Richie]

I never thought of that, I think I will use that on my layout when I get around to doing my roads. That will be the correct colour and the right look to it.

[pete]

Hello, I am a new member and having readc how you lay your roads, that is a very good idea, I am currently planning and building a new layuot and that info is very welcome.

[pete]

My daughter was in town today and when ashe came back she bought me a present (she must be after something LOL).
Anyway it is a Road Kit and it comes from America, made by "Woodland Scenics".
Anyone used this kit before ?

Pete.

[Paul-H]

Hi

To Be honest

The Woodland Scenics roads kit is a bit pants. (A tin of grey paint, brush and a pin to scratch the centre marking in).

Fine wet and dry paper is probably the best way to go.

Mind you on my layout, because is built on Sundeala board which has a textured surface all I did was paint the road in grey primer directly onto the Sundeala, it looks quite good.

Paul

[MrTin]

I used to use wet'n'dry paper years ago, but it is very stiff and crisp and will not conform to multiple curvatures. Also, when the sheet runs out you have an ugly joint to disguise.
I just use a basic mid to dark grey matt paint, an emulsion will do and then weather it up with different powders and even (heaven forfend!) fag ash. Having just given up that will now be a search!
But by grinding chalk pastels on sand paper you can then spread them around with brushes and cotton wool buds. Very subtle effects can be achieved that way. Some car stylists use the technique in design studios rather than airbrush...that's how delicate it can be.
Have a good look at how many shades of grey are on a tarmac road, from the strip repairs to cracks and ridges where other traffic wears the surface.
The texture of tarmac at 1/76th scale would not be visible at the distances we view our models.

MrTin

[Dieselbob]

Hi Richie

I have got my best results (after various experiments including wet & Dry) by laying the road using cork roll cut to shape and painting it with Blackboard paint (I think its made by Joy), it gives a good surface texture.
It starts very Black but dulls down naturally with a bit of cleaning and dusting.

Cheers

Bob

[Sidious]

I use Metcalfe Tarmacadam Sheets, and find them very good.