But first things first....

It is SO easy to get ahead of yourself on a layout.  Such was the case for me.  I was definitely excited about getting some track down.  But laying track before installing a backdrop is not the best idea.  Sooo... time to put up some backdrops!  None of this is technically difficult.  Sharing some ideas that may help someone out there.

Started with 3/32 (1/8") Masonite (or Masonite equivalent - the thin, wobbly stuff) and painted them white.  The white provides a nice surface for painting later on.



Windows... framing... all looks a bit crude.  Watch the transformation....

I had put 2x3 posts up at strategic locations to support the Masonite.  As it turned out, I needed more, so they were added.  Once they were in, I used short (1-1/4") drywall screws to attach the sheets.  Each hole was pre-drilled and countersunk to keep the surface of the backdrop material as smooth as possible.  


Just adding some white background changed it from 'just a train room' to an inviting space.  What a difference!




As much as I liked methods used to minimize any imperfections on the backdrop - see blogs like Dave Cochrun's excellent Castle Rock & Pacific (Upper Level Fascia Install) - I simply did not have the patience to do all that gluing and clamping.  So I tried something new to get a smooth finish.  On my last expansion, I used drywall mud to blend the seams.  It worked OK, but a couple problems:
  • The mud took a lot of time to dry, and with multiple apply-dry-sand cycles, it was tedious and took a while
  • The mud took paint differently than the masonite.  
So... looking through the painters section of the local big-box store, I found something called painter's caulk.  Basically it is a low-shrinkage caulk that can be painted.  Tried it out, and it really worked out OK.  Not perfect, mind you, but 'good enough' for what I wanted.  ONWARD!




Then came the excellent talents of my lovely wife!  She is an artist by nature, and offered to put up a basic 'sky' for now.  WOW!  Suddenly some rough looking benchwork and a blank backdrop turned into a vista!

Warning: Serious talent at work!



Note the subtle dark to light blending she was able to achieve.  REALLY gives it some great perspective!



NEXT: Staging


Comments

  1. Dave...July 28, 2018 at 12:13 PM

    Great progress - LOVE THE LOGO! Ops can't be far away!

    ReplyDelete

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