Guys,

I need opinion/suggestions regarding the use of styrofoam as dio groundwork base. Are there negative consequences?

I plan to sculpt the styrofoam and then cover it with wall putty (like what I did to the wall) then add the necessary debris etc.

Do I also need to cover the side of the styrofoam with wood strips or veneer?





Thanks

A negative consequence will result if you coat or primer the styro directly with any type of petroleum distillate.. ie spray paint- possibly enamels?. It will eat away at the styrofoam. Try to use paints like acrylics and or latex paints.
Keep a scrap of the styro you are using handy to try out the different mediums you will use.. primers, paints and plasters.. sometimes a quick test for compatiblity saves alot of time and effort..
From your picture my best guess is that it will take quite alot of paint on the edges to hide the pebbling of the foam, so you may end up having to use a veneer to hide it..Good luck

Warthog, for starters let me say I really like the way you have this laid out. I like to cover my foam bases in Celluclay, then put some sand down while its wet and some kitty litter around for stones or to add to your debris pile. All your wall that caved in wouldnt be in large chunks. Then you press the sand and litter in and it will take any kinda paint. an advantage to the celluclay is you can build up areas easily too. If you want take a look at my mid carpathian dio update2 here in forums, it shows a before the celluclay and after pic. Celluclay is cheap and easy to use, just dont put it on real thick and add a big dropp of white glue when you mix it. You can also add acrylic paint to color it a bit when you mix it. On the edge I would just use bass wood trimmed down to the height of the dio and paint it in what ever color you want. Cheers Kevin

Kancali: Thanks for the input...you are right I need to veneer the sides...

Jackhammer: First of all, I like the way you did your carpathian dio. Its also good you commented on the way I arranged the dio, I really need those suggestions. Regarding the celluclay, at the moment I do not have any and I'm not sure w/c model store here in the Manila (Philippines) carries them, that is why I plan to use wall putty (Bostik), it cost me about $1 only.

My only problem now is how to mount the Tank permanently considering I'm using a styrofoam.

PS: I got some of the idea from you Brave Souls dio

Warthog,
I like it very much, and if I can put my two cents in; Actually, Kancali was mentioning that you might have problems covering the pebbling of the styrofoam. My advice - Don't hide the pebbling. I assume that your dio is in Italy, no? If it is, the pebbling is perfect for walls made in Italy. Walls are made with rocks piled up and then covered with stucco on the outside (most of the time) and on the inside (if the inhabitants could afford it.) I was stationed in Sicily for seven years and studied the architecture the entire time (for modelling, of course.) It looks great so far, and I look forward to seeing more of it.
Ciao for now
Rob

husky1943,

You are right, the Dio is supposed to be set in Italy.
You mean I should leave the sides as is?

Below is a closeup view of the styro....

Warthog, Celluclay you find at an arts and crafts store. Celluclay is ground up paper mixed with powdered glue, add water, mix and apply it. Its pretty cheap stuff next time your by a craft store stop in and get some to try out. I was experimenting with plaster but I prefer the celluclay. It's farily cheap as well. It dries slowly and gives you lots of working time. just my two cents. Cheers Kevin

Warthog on another note to fasten the tank, is there going to be wood under the styrofoam? If so you just drill a hold up thru the base and another hole in the tank and anchor it with a bolt. If no wood underneath I would wrap the dio base in plaster cloth it would make it stronger and you could probably still get away with bolting it to the base. Cheers Kevin

Warthog,
This is what I am talking about.

As Kancali and Jackhammer were saying, you should cover the ground with something, like plaster or clay so that you can paint it, cover it or whatever you want. In my photo, I covered the ground with plaster, and then carved the tiles in the bottom of the photo and the other side of the street is covered in grass. You can't leave the styrofoam as is. It wouldn't look natural. I think that Kancali was talking about the edge of the walls, and that's why I attached the photos. The edge of the building (and the styrofoam) is perfect for representing an Italian building.

Plus, Jackhammer is also right about bolting the model to the base. If you want that tank to stay put, that is the way to do it.

If you need any more help, I have more photos of other dios that I can send you. Hope it helps and the dio is going to be great.
Ciao for now
Rob

here are my 2cents.
Styrofoam covered with wall putty should be fine.

Definitely cover the sides with thin venir or sheet styrene. Your diorama will look sooo much better when this is done. It also gives you something to paint or stain. The styrofoam won't accept paint well and putty on the edge of the base will be a lot harder to sand and get smooth.

Connecting your tank to the base can be done with glue as one option. Not the best, but depending on overall construction it may be the only way.
Another way is to use wire. Use a thin wire in the shape of a U. Two or four U's and embedd it in the styrofoam then cover it with the putty. Leave the strands sticking up. Once the groundwork is done you can place your tanks and wrap the wire either around the track or the suspension. You have to PLAN AHEAD with this. You have to know dead on where the tank is going to be before you bury the wire.
The wire is hard to see and can be hiden easily.

Husky1943: I get your point now and many thanks for the clarification....thanks...l also like your dio . BTW, for posterity reason...below is how the house looks inside...


And this is how I did the top of the wall...


Slodder: Thanks for the very good tip...I like your wire approach....I'll try that method first.....and wish me luck

Warthog,
I like it alot. It looks great, and ruined buildings add a lot a character to a dio. You could add a picture on the wall or a clock (for interest). For the wall, in Europe, a lot of people put broken glass or nails at the top of a wall to prevent criminals from climbing over. It just a bit of interest. I wish you luck, but you don't need luck when you have talent (which obviously, you have).
Again Great Job, Warthog!
Ciao for now
Rob

Husky1943:
Thank you very much for wishing me luck, I need it. As for the clock...hmmm very good suggestion ...I like that. Broken glass and nails are also used here in the Philippines up to now as deterent to criminals...just for info. I already made a picture frame (1.2mm x 1mm) the only problem is the picture that would fit....thanks again.