HOW TO CREATE DUSTY ROAD SURFACES
QI want to create a dusty surface on my layout’s roads, especially in the freight yard, but am struggling to achieve good results with scatter materials. Geoff Carling, by e-mail
George says: Many scatter materials sold as suitable for use on road surfaces produce a coarse effect rather than a fine, dusty aspect. Furthermore, unless a few layers are built up, patches of bare adhesive can show through, creating slightly shiny patches here and there. A simple solution is to apply scatter materials over the road surface, having spread out a thin film of adhesive, such as PVA or, preferably, Scatter Grip from Deluxe Materials, which remains tacky even when dry. Once the glue has set, remove any loose material before the surface can be treated with a variety of weathering powders. Choose two or three shades to suit your location. For instance, a road through a coal yard is likely to carry darker staining than one within a cement terminal. Apply the powders in a number of light layers, using a soft-bristled, dry, flat brush. The powders will adhere readily to the gritty scatter material and darker, more concentrated shades can be worked into certain areas, especially around the base of buildings and structures. Indeed, a great feature of this method is the ability to blend walls and fences seamlessly into the overall picture, simply by working the powders up against these structures. Any excess powder can be brushed or vacuumed away. If you’re unhappy with the results, use a clean, stiff brush to remove most of the powder and try again. It shouldn’t be necessary to seal the powders, unless heavy deposits have been purposely applied for specific effects. In that case, a light misting with matt varnish, from an aerosol or airbrush, will do the trick. Pigment fixatives are also available and these can be airbrushed without need for thinning, or applied by brush, eye-dropper or syringe.