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Using Crushed Limestone Parking Lots and Roadways
Richard sent in this question for readers to comment on:
“I have been using ‘Chicken Grit’ to form side roads and parking areas around grain mills, and other rural buildings. The ‘grit’ is usually mixed with chicken feed since they need a form of ‘grit’ to aid digestion. Grit can be granite, sea shells, etc that is ground, however I have been unable to find small enough grit (HO size) in familiar yellow/brown colors of crushed limestone used here in upper Midwest of USA. Thus I have had to airbrush the grit to the proper color and then when dry (had to spread to paint) then collect and spread on a base of white glue and water to allow it to adhere to the sub-base of lot or roadway. Just wondering if/what others might use to obtain similar lot and road cover in the light yellow/tan color. Most grit is a bit too large and sand seems a bit to fine. Thanks for any comments of suggestions.”
9 Responses to Using Crushed Limestone Parking Lots and Roadways
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Two suggestions:
1. Depending on hardness, use a hammer/mortar and pestle to grind up your own or
2. Visit the crushing site and ask them for the powdered crushing waste.
I use dried out Tea Bag contacts – requires a light crush but u would never know.
I’ve used sand for detailing , and before adding to the layout spray painted it with red , brown and black enamel primers you could try mixing some sand in with the grit to get a mixed stone look . might work better giving a weathered look to your roads / parking lots
Try a grittier sand than fine. Google for “meremac sand” as an example.
I have been using saw dust for my ground cover. Food coloring works well for any color you want. Just play with the amount of drops of different colors to come up with the color you want.Count the number of drops of each so you can make it the same on the next batch. Mix in a bowl and lay it on a paper towel to dry. Then sift it before you lay it down.
Coarse grit sandpaper will give you a crushed and rolled look to your roads and is easy to cut into any shape needed. The joints can be hidden with a light dusting of loose grit glued across them.
Hi Richard
Here in New Zealand I use river sand its a bit coarser than beach sand and builders sand is a yellow color and I use this to when modelling a desert scene.The river sand would need painting with an air brush to bring it up to the correct color. I did some experimenting with Kitty litter but not to successful. Kitty litter is ok for rocks etc and is great if you have the time and patience to model rock walls i found this works well with P.V.A type wood glues but you need to only do a couple of layers at a time to give the glue time to dry to avoid sagging.
I use Water ,and Ice shield. Look for someone who is shingling a roof, they always have waste water and ice shield scraps. They usually have to take it to the dump, and are willing to give it to you. The top side of it looks just like asphalt, The bottom side has a sticky glue will install easily on the layout. Cots well with a exacta knife or even a pair of shop scissors. Very cheap roadway and parking lots.
We got a roll of “safety step” at Lowe’s/Home Depot. It’s used on stairs for non-slip applications. Comes on a roll with a very strong peel & stick backing. It’s black and looks like asphalt, but grab a can of spray paint in whatever color you want. Cut out your pattern for a road/sidewalk. Paint. Peel and stick. Costs about $20-$30 but was enough to do roads/sidewalks for layout that consists of 6 joined 4′ x 8’s. It’s about 4″ wide and easy to cut.