model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Hi Has anyone used Lichen for hedges and bushes? I purchased several colour variations for my layout. The lichen is in a plastic bag in a shrink wrap bag. I can only assume the shrink wrap is to protect the material from the air. Which causes me to raise the next question, does this stuff deteriorate with age, colour and texture? Should it be coated with weak PVA or a spray (non fire risk) before use to preserve it? Comments welcome Many thanks PJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky W Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 It shouldn't be affected at all, apart from any colour deteriorating over time in sunlight. I do find lichen a bit coarse for 4mm use, though can look good when over coated with foliage of some kind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Trevellan Posted April 25, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 25, 2014 I used lichen as shrubbery on a 009 layout in the 70s. It dried out and became brittle after a year or two, but that may have been a storage issue rather than the material itself. I agree with Richard: I'd only use it now with some sort of foliage material glued on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 Hi Dicky W & Trevellan, many thanks for your comments. I will have a look at what I can over coat it with. Interesting you find it a little course, I was not sure what to us,e would you suggest another item for small hedges? PJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted April 25, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 25, 2014 I used strips of horsehair battered in a pva/water mix and scattered with my usual flock of various colours.Have a look on the Green Scene website for their products. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbishop Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Agree with Robin. Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSB Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 I used lichen many years ago but there are much better materials available now. Woodland Scenics do quite a good range of usable materials. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 I used strips of horsehair battered in a pva/water mix and scattered with my usual flock of various colours.Have a look on the Green Scene website for their products. Hi gwrrob Are you talking of flock as in fibres, 2mm, 2.5mm, 5mm, 6mm or are your referring to scatters? I have never done it before, hence the question. But I do have a Noch Gras-Master2 and use their flock. I have just had a look, Green Scene have a lot of items on their site but not many images. Thanks for your help PJ Agree with Robin. Bill Thanks bbi shop See my reply to gwrrob. Thanks PJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 Those green pan-scourers dipped and coated are pretty good for more trimmed hedges too. Hi Mickey That is different. I take it you strip off the foam and use the scourer part? Thanks PJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 I used lichen many years ago but there are much better materials available now. Woodland Scenics do quite a good range of usable materials. Hi HSB You can therefore tell I am learning Hence the reason I was looking for a product for hedges and purchased the lichen. Thanks for your comments. PJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 These are the sort of ones I was thinking of http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/green-scourers Hi Mickey I can see these having their uses but, I was thinking more of rough country hedge, woody, leafy type hedge if that makes sense. I definitely think these have a place though. Thanks PJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted April 25, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 25, 2014 Hi gwrrob Are you talking of flock as in fibres, 2mm, 2.5mm, 5mm, 6mm or are your referring to scatters? I have never done it before, hence the question. But I do have a Noch Gras-Master2 and use their flock. I have just had a look, Green Scene have a lot of items on their site but not many images. Thanks for your help PJ Yes I was talking about their scatters but choose wisely as some are a garish colour but they do quite a few shows where you can see them in the flesh.The fibres would be good to squirt at the bottom of the hedge to resemble grasses. Not a brilliant photo but gives you a flavour of what I used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 These are the sort of ones I was thinking of http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/green-scourers Hi, these are more course allowing 1/76 scale. Interesting Green scouring pads, I have added image as link may not work days from now On the same page as you have just shown I think a trip to the hardware shop might be worth while, I will have a look maybe they will have different greens Thanks again PJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 Yes I was talking about their scatters but choose wisely as some are a garish colour but they do quite a few shows where you can see them in the flesh.The fibres would be good to squirt at the bottom of the hedge to resemble grasses. Not a brilliant photo but gives you a flavour of what I used. DSCN0352.jpg Hi gwrrob It looks realistic. What have you done the branches with? PJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted April 25, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 25, 2014 I will have a look maybe they will have different greens Thanks again PJ You could always spray them black before using too. The branches are strands of the mentioned horsehair. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted April 25, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 25, 2014 If I was to recommend a colour then try GS144 Midsummer Green from the collection. http://www.green-scene.co.uk/Scatters.html Squires model tool supplies stock the range too and offer free postage for orders over £10. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 I think you guys have convinced me Lichen is not right. Fortunately I only purchased two packets, looks like they will go on the auction site. What give me concern was when they arrived (mail order) they were in a packet and then a shrink wrap package. There had to be a reason for concern. Other than looking maybe clumsy on '00' layout. Back to the drawing board. I don't think the scourers is what I am looking for for this part of the layout. I like gwrrob's hedge though maybe a little to course, now I am looking for something in between. Woody and leafy. Scatter of a suitable colour will no doubt do the leaves, so now it is down to the woody bit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted April 25, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 25, 2014 I don't think the scourers is what I am looking for for this part of the layout. I like gwrrob's hedge though maybe a little to course, now I am looking for something in between. Woody and leafy. Scatter of a suitable colour will no doubt do the leaves, so now it is down to the woody bit. How about using Mickey's idea of scouring pads as a base with clumps of black/brown coloured postiche [ wig hair] for the finer branch effect.Sprayed with hairspray and sprinkled with a scatter.Experiment.It's fun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold gwrrob Posted April 25, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 25, 2014 Another product that has just sprung to mind is Woodland Scenics fine leaf foliage.Excellent product not just for tree making in six different colours too. http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/TRFine-LeafFoliage http://www.ehattons.com/stocklist/1000484/1000594/1000805/0/Woodland_Scenics_Any_or_Multiple_Scales_Grass_Ground_Lichen_Hedges_Foliage/prodlist.aspx Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 Another product that has just sprung to mind is Woodland Scenics fine leaf foliage.Excellent product not just for tree making in six different colours too. http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/TRFine-LeafFoliage http://www.ehattons.com/stocklist/1000484/1000594/1000805/0/Woodland_Scenics_Any_or_Multiple_Scales_Grass_Ground_Lichen_Hedges_Foliage/prodlist.aspx I have the Woodland Scenics tree kit, with armatures I didn't like much the plastic armatures so put to one side, it has some scatter foliage/flock, not sure what colours, I will have a look tomorrow. I still need to come come up with the woody branches for the hedge. Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 I've been considering everyone's comments, for which I am very grateful. I think I may try some lichen dipped in a watery solution of PVA. Let it dry, then with a tacky PVA shape it to an hedge, let it dry. Then roll it in Pva to apply it to the outer edges, then roll it over some scatter material. Then I guess let it dry and hope it works. Please keep comments and suggestions coming, they help us now, they help others in the future. Thank again PJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 I jsut remember a use for lichen, again from way back when make a "mould" to suit the hedge dimesions. wedge the lichen in, pour on dilute PVA and a mix of scatter Thanks Mickey... team work ;o) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
model-trains Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 I jsut remember a use for lichen, again from way back when make a "mould" to suit the hedge dimesions. wedge the lichen in, pour on dilute PVA and a mix of scatter You must pour our the diluted PVA once soaked in? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSB Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 International Models market some very nice model hedges although they're quite pricey. They also do a lot of other grass, trees and flowers, etc, although some of it is a bit too large for 4mm scale (I've used it for 0). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium BR60103 Posted April 26, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 26, 2014 Lichen does dry out. One treatment for this is glycerine but I don't have the formula & method handy. If you get fresh* lichen, it needs to be treated this way (I think boiling may be involved). Natural Lichen looks better than most of the commercial dyed jobs. You need to be selective about which bits of the lichen you use. I think you may throw out half or more of a package. Trim the clumps to what looks right. Add some sort of scatter unless you're modelling a hedge in winter. Take out the pine needles. *i.e. pick your own, raw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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