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Surface Coating To Reduce Sound
Several readers will know the answer to Andy’s question and I’m sure one or two will be prepared to share their thoughts so that other readers can benefit too. Here is what Andy asks about finding a suitable surface coating for his O layout:
“I am building a new table and keep getting different opinions about what the top surface should be. One is (A) two inch foam (B) Homasote (C) fake green carpet grass (D)regular plywood. What I am looking for is something that will help with cutting out a lot of the loud sound. The foam and homasote do cost quite a bit. Please help, I want a nice looking table without spending a lot of money. Plus I need a surface where I can glue and screw landscape and buildings, water towers… radar… beacon and what nots… Thanks for any advice anyone can give!”
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Hi Andy, Sounds like you know a little more than the basics. I would use 3/8″ to 1/2″ plywood with a strong frame, you need a good strong base. You can seal the ply with a good sealant. If you want to eliminate noise, on top of the ply I would use 1″ or 2″ foam, or cork or other road bed, glued to the ply. The foam is light weight and you can glue anything to it including the cork road bed and if you must screw things down, and you can find it, use the 1″ foam, you can go right thru it with the screws and they will not have to be that long, I personally stick with the 2″ and deal with that and the longer screws or nails when needed, remember later on you can cut the foam out in spots and make lakes, etc.. I would NOT use homasote only because of the weight, if that is not a problem, go with that. But do yourself a favor, go to Home Depot or any other store, and look at the materials YOU like. That may help. DONT use the fake green grass carpet, over time it is a mess and it sounds like you have a lot of detailing you want to do, you dont want that under everything, I did this years ago and after it was horrible getting rid of it. After you finish all your track, buildings, towers, etc, fill in the bare spots with the grass in a bottle or ponds or leaves or what ever. Tony P