Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
Sealing and Painting Benchwork
Bryan asks readers:
“This is my first layout – HO – I’m working on so I want to try and get most things right. Is there any advantage in me painting all the benchwork including underneath, or is that a waste of time? Do I need to seal my benchwork before I attempt to lay any track or add scenery? I’m not trying to save work, I just want to get things right if I can.”
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
Benchwork that’s not visible is rarely painted. Rather than depending on paint to inhibit shrinkage, I left my lumber in the basement for quite a while to allow it to adjust to the temperature and humidity. Fortunately, both are well controlled and won’t change significantly.
Benchwork that’s not visible is rarely painted. Rather than depending on paint to inhibit shrinkage, I left my lumber in the basement for quite a while to allow it to adjust to the temperature and humidity. Fortunately, both are well controlled and won’t change significantly. Do allow for some trackage expansion and contraction, however.
Brian
An excellent question. Personally I’ve not bothered as I have lived in very stable climatic regions. I am now living in an area where the humidity fluctuated between seasons. Paining my benchwork might be a jolly good idea.
So what with. Check the local DIY centre for cheap, off mix paints (those where the customer returned it because the colour was wrong. Plug for low sheen/ matt and get the colour matcher to make it “Black”.
Why black? Black will have the effect of making the benchwork disappear, If you go backstage in any theatre everything that the stage designer wants the audience to ignore is painted matt black. If its good enough for “Cats” and “Les Mis”, it’s good enough for me.
Have fun
Depends on where you are putting you layout, if it is in a garage or shed I use a wood preservative any will do then I paint the top and side of the board with a earth brown paint (umber is the best) it is ready for any scenic then.
Rod 🙂