less weathered model begin by ap- plying sanding sealer and burnish- ing the parts with 0000 steel wool. In most cases staining and sealing can best be done while the parts are still attached to their carrier sheet.
Paint in pieces – Go ahead and paint the individual parts before be- ginning assembly. By pre-painting different colored trim will be sharp and crisp. Don’t rush the drying. Make certain that parts are left to dry overnight. This will avoid leav- ing smudges and finger prints on the finished model.
Brace yourself – Keep some extra basswood strips handy so that addi-
tional bracing can be added to the interior of the project. 1/8” and 3/16” square basswood strips are particularly handy to have on hand. This will make the model sturdier and more stable. A few dollars of stripwood will save time and disap- pointment later.
The end is near – One of the nice features of working in wood is the availability of a number of adhe- sives which will provide excellent results. Use the type with which you are the most comfortable. If ACC is used, try the gel varieties. They give a little longer working time and are not as readily absorbed into the wood fibers as the thinner varieties.
Solvent based adhesives such as Duco Cement and Ambroid Glue work well on sealed wood. If an aliphatic resin (yellow carpenter’s glue) is used choose one that is wa- ter resistant or waterproof particu- larly if one lives in a humid area. Avoid most white glues and “goril- la” glues. The white glue does not have a stable lifespan and the goril- la glue expands when curing mak- ing it messy to use. Once assembled the paint can be distressed using 0000 steel wool to wear down some of the top coat. This technique is particularly effec- tive around doors and entrances where there is a lot of natural wear. Once the model is complete, but
before any of the clear glazing is ap- plied give it a coat of clear matt spray to further seal the model and blend the colors. When this coat is dry, weathering can be applied using washes, powdered chalks or any other technique. So next time you are looking for a modeling project give a laser kit a try. They come in all different sizes, topics, skill levels and price points. One will be perfect for your layout. —George Riley
LEFT: Extra bracing will help prevent warping and keep walls square. BELOW: A few rub- ber bands make inexpensive and effective clamps while assembling your models.
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN MAGAZINE • BUILDING IN S SCALE s17
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