Just wondering what the best products are for making grass, weeds, etc. on an HO layout? FYI, I already have my two small layouts covered with Woodland Scenics green ground scatter. Now I'm looking to creating longer/taller grass and weeds, which you often see on layouts in magazines.

Also, are there any household or scrap items that could easily be used or is it better to use products sold at my LHS?

Thanks in advance,

Rob

If you have a rug the right colour, you can glue it upside down and rip the backing off when the glue has set. (I've heard of this. Really. Some people just glue it down right side up.)

BR60103 Wrote:If you have a rug the right colour, you can glue it upside down and rip the backing off when the glue has set. (I've heard of this. Really. Some people just glue it down right side up.)

I was actually thinking about this tonight as well! But I think we've already thrown out our old rugs. I'll still keep looking around the house.

Cheers, Rob

I've used jute twine to make tall clump grass. I cut off a length a few feet long, put it in a disposable plastic bowl (I use an old sour cream container) with green ink stain (ink - water - alcohol). I let it soak overnight, then pull out the twine and let it dry. It should be stained a light green. I then cut off 1/2" segments of the twine, fold them in half, and insert the folded end into holes drilled into the layout. A little white glue in the hole will hold it in place. It looks okay, but it is tedious and I don't think it looks as good as some of the other grass products like static grass or pre-made grass clumps. But it is cheap. Real cheap.

Thanks, Kevin. That sounds good. That's also a great pic -- the results are obviously very convincing. Where's the best place to buy the die? I could get the twine from Home Depot. Cheers, Rob

You could probably use RIT fabric dye. They used to sell that in the supermarket or drug store, but I don't know if they do anymore. I buy green ink at the local art supply store up the road, the same place I buy black india ink for weathering. Michaels or other craft stores may carry the same item. It's an old technique whose advantages are that it is cheap, you can vary the color by adjusting how much ink/dye you use, and the materials are easily available. Woodland scenics sells grass fibers that you can cut and use the same way and look a little better, IMO. It costs a little more, but I would imagine for a small layout just one package or two would be more than you need.

I use "Plaid" acrylic painf for dying sawdust and foam, I shoot some in a bowl of the material (start with about a half oz.) and add just enough rubbing alcohol to allow blending. I bought an electric mixer at the dollar store for ten bucks to mix. It takes a little longer to mix if it is a little dry, but it dries faster. I spread it out on a screen (over paper) to dry. I usually do about 3 quarts at a time. ( I use screened pine saw dust for grass) .

Charlie

nachoman Wrote:You could probably use RIT fabric dye. They used to sell that in the supermarket or drug store, but I don't know if they do anymore. I buy green ink at the local art supply store up the road, the same place I buy black india ink for weathering. Michaels or other craft stores may carry the same item. It's an old technique whose advantages are that it is cheap, you can vary the color by adjusting how much ink/dye you use, and the materials are easily available. Woodland scenics sells grass fibers that you can cut and use the same way and look a little better, IMO. It costs a little more, but I would imagine for a small layout just one package or two would be more than you need.

Thanks, Kevin. I'll still look at the Woodland Scenic options are well. Basically, I currently have a small 4x1' switching layout and a compact 3.5x6' continuous run layout. Rob

Hey Rob;
Try Teddy-Bear fur. You can get a meter for a few dollars, it comes in multiple colours, although I usually stick the the dried brown looking stuff (think typical teddy-bear colours as it can be stained or painted).

Next you can cut out bits of it as you need to, the benfit is the underlying web that holds it together allows you to easily position it on the layout, diorama or whatever and be blended into the landscape.

I have a couple of photos that I'll post in the next couple of days of a modelled diorama that should help to illustrate what I mean.

iandrewmartin Wrote:Hey Rob;
Try Teddy-Bear fur. You can get a meter for a few dollars, it comes in multiple colours, although I usually stick the the dried brown looking stuff (think typical teddy-bear colours as it can be stained or painted).
Next you can cut out bits of it as you need to, the benfit is the underlying web that holds it together allows you to easily position it on the layout, diorama or whatever and be blended into the landscape.
I have a couple of photos that I'll post in the next couple of days of a modelled diorama that should help to illustrate what I mean.

Thanks -- that sounds good. Look forward to the pics too.

Cheers, Rob

Not that anyone uses fur anymore:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/fur_grass/



Thank you if you visit
Harold

hminky Wrote:Not that anyone uses fur anymore...

Harold;
I was inspired by your site to give the fake fur a try. I have developed my own techniques to work with the materials I have and am glad I took the time to learn how to work with it.

Thanks for being an inspiration!

You can also color faux fur with oil paints. Too expensive for large quantities, I was experimenting with it to make highlights.

Harold