Playlist for Ballasting
Paint the track must be the first step. Next, you must decide on a scale and color(s). Our most popular products are between 138 and 1302. Use your base color for general use. While the Yard Mix was for the steam engine servicing area and rail yards. You may want to purchase some brown to add some dirt areas.
If you’re modeling a prototype, pick the ballast representing that railroad. You can get whatever color you wish if you are not a real railroad. Also, don’t ignore the coarser grades for mainlines. You may be able to use them in other areas!
The process of laying the ballast needs much care. You may get into a problematic area where you may not what the ballast or that color.
If you blend multi colors, mix them, and store them first. Start pouring the ballast on the track from the bag or container. Pour down the length of the track. Use a paintbrush about 1” wide to brush the ballast into the ties and sides. If you need an area to be a bit dirty, add some brown ballast or some pigment now. If the track is old or abandoned, place some grass and dirt middle and alongside.
Gluing the ballast
Glue down the ballast until you are ready and don’t want any other changes.
Use an eye drop with 50% glue and 50% water. Start in the middle of the track and keep adding until the edge gets wet on the surface. This is so the ballast does not move from the water. We do not suggest that you use alcohol or other than glue. So add some dish soap to make it flow better. The glue will take several hours to dry completely. Best to dry overnight.
When dried or nearly added some powder of the same color or brown to add back some color, the was a loss from the water moving the dust that was in the product. When thoroughly dried, use the brush/ vacuum to find and lose the ballast you don’t want. If the layout is not going to move, you can skip this.
If you blend multi colors, mix them, and store them first. Start pouring the ballast on the track from the bag or container. Pour down the length of the track. Use a paintbrush about 1” wide to brush the ballast into the ties and sides. If you need an area to be a bit dirty, add some brown ballast or some pigment now. If the track is old or abandoned, place some grass and dirt middle and alongside. Gluing the ballast, Ever glue down until you are ready and don’t want any other changes.
Use an eye drop with 50% glue and 50% water. Start in the middle of the track and keep adding until the edge gets wet on the surface. This is so the ballast does not move from the water. We do not suggest that you use alcohol or other than glue. So add some dish soap to make it flow better. The glue will take several hours to dry completely. Best to dry overnight. When dried or nearly added some powder of the same color or brown to add back some color, the was a loss from the water moving the dust that was in the product. When thoroughly dried, use the brush/ vacuum to find and lose the ballast you don’t want. If the layout is not going to move, you can skip this.