Recently with the flurry of excitement caused by the posts of Blockhaus and his superb building work, it has caused me to go back to something I did years ago - buildings in 1/35th...

One of his posts particularly caught my attention - one on the subject of giving 'texture' to the façades of buildings...

Now the problem was that, it is easier for me to work with FEATHERBOARD (or FOAMBOARD ) for the basic structure. This has its drawbacks - if one adds a diluted plaster over the board, it warps. What I needed was a form of adding texture in a simple yet convincing manner.

I think I may have the solution. A product we all have on our workbench and something which, if initial results are anything to go by, seems to give a convincing effect - SANDPAPER. I have just glued someover the façade of a building I am constructing to try out various techniques (cork etc...) The result is looking pretty good - the only problem is, that I have used fine-grade paper and it really needs something rougher.

It's simple to do. simply square of a section of sandpaper, cut it roughly to size and glue it (using PVA adhesive) over the façade of the building. Reverse it and using a sharp knive and steel rule cut out the windows, and doors - the sandpaper is quite thin so it's relatively easy - voila! a stuccoed building front...I will post photos larter...Jim

That sounds very interesting Jim,
I am looking forward to the pics

Ola Jim

That could work. I have used sandpaper for a lot fo stuff in the past usually roads. From sand roads to Tarmac. I even have made a tenniscourt with the stuff.

Looking forward to your pics.

Robert, the original idea came from that - I used to use sandpaper to simulate tarmac - it always looked quite convincing. The curious thing was that a problem (the warping of the foamboard) caused a solution to be found. As I don't have access to large amounts of the more solid form of expanded polystyrene,i have to use foamboard...Jim

easy quick priceless and efficient . Bravo Jim waiting for more, and of course photos

Costas

Now that's a nice simple solution, and best of all, a cheap one....

good idea!

really cheap too, as you can get a LOT of sandpaper with just a few cents....

thanks for sharing!

Hi JIm,
good idea!! I have made some works with these material.Unfotunately I not have photos of it. but works well. I hope see soon photos of your works
Carlos

foamboard won't warp if you paint both sides.the best thing to do is assemble all the foamboard parts then spray with a LATEX PRIMER. (:-)

Hi,

With regards to Foamboard warping...maybe covering it first with PVA glue would seal it from the diluted plaster...thus reduce or even eliminate warping...just an idea.

The sandpaper trick is also a very good option..

Cheers