I’d use artistic license to justify sand that looks like sand even if it
is out of scale (too big).
Dave Husman:
Look at diatomaceous earth from a pool supply
company.
Matt:
I recently was sanding down some plaster castings with
80-grit sandpaper. I’m thinking the sanding dust would be about
right. You might want to just use solid plaster and color accord-
ingly. When I’m at the beach, unless I’m closer than a few feet I
don’t see sand, I see a sand-color landscape.
Joe Atkinson:
Sift dirt from a gravel road or lot. I’ve found that
this works great for hard, packed dirt or sand. I sift it through a
piece of window screen, then again through a Tide laundry bag,
available at Walmart for around $3.
Diatomaceous earth has a particle size typically 10 to 200
microns, or 0.007874”. A #80 mesh screen has a 0.007” opening.
That leaves you with a particle that’s 10 times bigger than a large
grain of sand, but will still look granular instead of powdery.
Barr-CEO:
Cut a block of foam to fit the bin, paint the top gener-
ously with craft acrylic “sand color” (whatever that is for your
railroad) and sprinkle on baking soda. If necessary, touch up the
edges with more paint and soda after installing. Vacuum up any
loose dust. Using a form under the soda keeps it from shrinking
and cracking, and it’s less of a mess overall. It also lets you get a
more precise shape.
Other suggested materials include plaster dust from sanding,
sandblaster sand, white pepper, beach sand, garlic powder, and
tile grout.
Sand:
Truck weathering
Q.
I have a question regarding the Rustoleum spray paint. The
flat brown is sometimes used for weathering trucks but do you
think the result would be as good with the satin enamel dark
brown or chestnut brown? I am from Argentina and cannot find
the flat brown anyway. It is really a pity because this technique
for weathering trucks seems so easy, with great results.
– Alejandro
A.
Matching up materials is a problem when advice crosses bor-
ders. Products can have different names in different markets,
and local regulations can keep some products out of some areas.
Bob Bochenek:
Automotive paint primer is what I use. The tech-
nique illustrated at
.
Prof Klyzlr (from Australia):
Have noted recently that Rustoleum
colors outside the USA have different names, and may not be a
color match.
Ezeyhomero:
I am from Argentina, too. I did the test with satin
brown and the result was too shiny. I make a mixture using
Tamiya paint, and airbrush it.
Jeff Youst:
I don’t have an answer for your lack of luck in finding
the brown primer, but here is how I weather trucks starting with
matte brown. After the initial coloring, I make a syrupy wash
from grimy black weathering powder and a very small amount of
water. Liberally paint the truck with this and allow to completely
dry. Don’t worry about losing detail … it will return with a pop!
Once dry, use a stiff bristle brush to brush off the majority of the
color pigment. The black will remain in all the nooks and cran-
nies and give an overall black sheen to the truck, all the while
allowing some of the original brown to come through. It ends
up being a slightly rusty grimy effect. A dab of rust powder onto
the truck springs, a light dry brush over that, then a spritz of dull
clear-coat, and there it is.
Questions, Answers & Tips - 2
MRH-Dec 2014
