Mainline Railways was a British model railway brand that operated between 1976 and 1983, introduced by Palitoy, the...
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How can I model decay on model roads?
Making model roads is easy thanks to the range of products available that can be used to fashion a suitable road surface as well as ready-to-go road rolls for a quicker approach. However, making a road that appears 'well used' is a little more interesting.
If you are using a road roll, sheets or sections, stick-on potholes are readily available and can be used to make your road appear as though in disrepair. But if you are creating your own bespoke roads using a substance such as 'Smooth It' from Woodland Scenics, be sure to add a few potholes and imperfections before it sets.
Once your road surface is dried and painted, the surface can be taken back a little using fine-grit sandpaper, 1200 grit should work just fine.
Next, smudge a dark pigment or sanded pencil lead to create any tyre skid marks or oil spills on the road surface. Doing this will also help accentuate any potholes or cracks that you have already modelled into your design.
Finally, use a heavily diluted dark-coloured wash to add to areas of the roadway that would have seen the most usage.
There is no right or wrong way to create a decayed roadway, so play with the techniques to discover what works best for your road. The worst-case scenario is you having to sand back the paint and start again, so give it a go, you'll be impressed with the results.
Posted in: Best practices
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