RMweb Premium figworthy Posted May 6, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 6, 2012 I know many people paint their baseboards prior to track laying, but what colours are favoured (gray ?), and what sort of paint is used ?. FWIW I'm using a ply base. TIA Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HLT 0109 Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 It seems to me that the colour of the baseboard is immaterial since you will more than likely cover it with scenic products. In fact, I left my baseboards completely untreated. However, it might be wise to treat it with something to assist with minimising distortion and limit absorption of adhesives etc. If doing so, it is probably worth doing the underside as well as the top but I would use varnish or whatever old paint I have available. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Sidelines Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 My first baseboard was painted green! However in twenty five years of building model railways I have never painted a baseboard (and never completed a layout). I would say, don't waste time and money for no good reason. Regards Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Sheep Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 I put a coating of PVA onto my MDF board, put track down and then sprayed rust colour on. other parts have been produced with tarmac colour paint mixed in with polyfiller when building the road up, grass areas are currently mud brown incase it shows through the scatter material. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Q Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I will be painting all my boards to stop wood worm / damp getting in, I'll use white because the area I'm modelling was dug through chalk so if the scenics get chipped, it'll show through just like the real thing. (they even tried chalk as ballast on this line whoich unsurprisingly was a failure) The Q Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium figworthy Posted May 7, 2012 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted May 7, 2012 Thanks for the comments. Adrian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
APOLLO Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I used cheap dark brown fence paint for both my OO & O layouts, because It's cheap, water based, dries quickly, a good base colour to lay track / scenery on. Some contain insecticide / fungicide as well. I used Wickes fence paint. I also paint the supporting legs, edges etc in same paint/ colour. Looks good. Brit15 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karhedron Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 I used cheap brown and white acrylics from The Works to paint the baseboard and basic scenery an earthy brown colour. It looks suprisingly good as any slightly bald patches on the grass do not look out of place. I tried green first time round and it looked hideous. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted May 9, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted May 9, 2012 I paint the undersides white to make it brighter when working under there. The tops and exposed sides vary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted May 9, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 9, 2012 I paint the undersides white to make it brighter when working under there. The tops and exposed sides vary. As we were putting together our SWAG module my daughter asked me why I always paint the entire underside white - quick answer 'because I've got plenty of white primer/undercoat'. But in truth it does help improve visibility underneath and it helps to seal the wood and - I think - cut down its ability as a dust magnet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlethorpe Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 About 5 years ago I purchased a 2.5L tin of Wickes Matt Black emulsion, i have just reopened & reused this again on my latest layout. I give the entire baseboard in the visible area a covering with this paint. It dries to a very dark grey and the benefits are that I don't need to paint between the tracks after ballasting, it's an ideal base colour for the goods yard etc and it is possible to utilise as a road surface. I used this technique on my previous layout and and never found any drawbacks or problems so will probably stick with it in the future as I still have most of the tin left. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cary hill Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 I paint the undersides white to make it brighter when working under there. The tops and exposed sides vary. Thanks I've seen the light now and it makes good sense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJL Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 I painted my base boards in a earthy brown emulsion. Like Karhedron said if the board shows in places were scatters have been used it looks more natural than using a green underpaint. Around the track area I used a grey colour. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arran Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 HI All Painting baseboards im my opinion is for exhibition layouts a very good idea, we tend to paint the undersides white "gloss finish" this is to seal the the boards and it helps you see wires that have come adrift and as said before it makes this lighter under there. The fiddle yards are grey while parts that are getting scenery on get whatever to seal them, mosley varnish as we ended up with loads of that free. Regards Arran Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Another vote for varnish - the dark tinted stuff - slapped on on both sides - it is not to make pretty, just to seal from the dampness in the garagerailway room. Ply, softwood, mdf, hardwood - it all gets it. If I ever need to go under a layout I use a light bulb. Most - probably all - get wired up when turned over on their side or back and once wired I have little need if ever to go back to repeat the job. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJL Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Another vote for varnish - the dark tinted stuff - slapped on on both sides - it is not to make pretty, just to seal from the dampness in the garagerailway room. Ply, softwood, mdf, hardwood - it all gets it. If I ever need to go under a layout I use a light bulb. Most - probably all - get wired up when turned over on their side or back and once wired I have little need if ever to go back to repeat the job. that's a very good idea. thank you kenton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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