Ground cover and detailing. Getting our building ready to incorporate into our layout.
I’ve decided to make this structure into an orchard storage warehouse with trackside loading dock on the lower level & offices, processing & even a retail store up top. It should make for an interesting piece when it gets settled into a bi-level spot where a siding will service the place.
But first, a shameless advertisement for a product I’ve used for years to make ground cover. If you try this stuff, you’ll never use plaster again. To begin with, it’s safe, clean & easy to make.
Second, it’s a water based, paper-mâché product that you can mix with acrylic paints, any color you wish, which results in a ground cover that never shows white if it gets chipped.
Third, it is slow to dry, which will allow you to take your time when applying. It goes on with a butter knife or putty knife & you can carve it when it dries, cut it, sand it, add trees, plants, etc. Although it takes a few days, it dries hard as plaster. Drying time varies due to the conditions in which it is used. Hence, a warm basement in the winter dries faster than a cool summer one.
Fourth, it doesn’t go bad. You can keep it in a container, the bag suggests in the refrigerator, but I don’t. I keep mine in a tall cottage cheese cup with a lid. If it begins to dry out, I just add some water. I have learned over the years to add a little bleach when I mix it. That’ll keep it from getting moldy.
So what is this stuff?
Try it! Great stuff.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much to cover on this project, but you’ll get the idea.
Now to cover the CelluClay base with real sifted dirt. The best to use for this from baseball infields. A small container of the stuff will last for a long time & the little you take won’t be missed. Players probably bring home more on their shoes & uniforms.
Now some Woodland Scenics grass. The nice thing about this is just tamping the groundcover down your knife or putty knife to the wet CelluClay is that it sticks without glues.
There’s our building. Next time, details & figures.