Grounded Carriage - Roof & Window Fitting
After some useful comments over on NGRM-online, rather than use overscale sandpaper, it was suggested that I instead turn to tissue paper to replicate roofing felt. Happily, I had recently acquired some from a parcel that was protected with it; so I got to work cutting it into strips 13mm wide:
In the shot above you can also see a window being test fitted in the rear extension. Anyway, in order to glue each piece of tissue paper, the relevant area (including the edges and underside edges) were given a light film of slightly watered down PVA. In reality the photo below shows that too much has been applied, but you get the idea.
I started at the end of the carriage without an extension, and so carefully placed the first piece as follows; with both ends and the side overhanging:
It was then a case of cutting small slits (due to the curve) with a small pair of scissors and folding it all underneath. As you can see, the first piece had a few bubbles; and it's worth noting that whilst you have to keep the tissue paper taught, it is all too easy to accidentally tear it apart. Equally, you have to be incredibly careful when smoothing it, even with your finger.
Next two photos: As you can see, the curved roof section was done first. As I obviously couldn't glue the two roof sections in place yet, and I also couldn't glue the two roof sections together either. I eventually decided to use some tape to join the two roof sections so that it would be strong enough without relying purely on the fragile tissue paper to hold it all together.
Below: And here we see the process completed! A very pleasing effect indeed; as the subtle textures of the tissue paper just about show through, as do the joins.
It was then time to very carefully insert all the windows. After half an hour of nerve-racking fine cuts with a sharp craft knife, eventually all the windows were fitted. There are a few gaps around the frames, and it doesn't stand up to close scrutiny, but I'm hoping with a little filler here and there it will be good enough for me.
Despite it being rather white, the tissue paper is thin enough that a lot of the grey paint underneath shows through, and actually the effect is rather pleasing. Whilst I will have to paint it to get it a slightly greyer colour, the paint will have to be thinly applied so that the detail still shows through. Perhaps a bit of drybrushing with white or light grey will be needed here and there. I also plan to dry brush a little yellow; particularly on the edges to replicate the growth of lichen!
Still, the windows and roof have made a huge difference; and despite there still being a lot more to add and gaps to fill, it's looking much better already.
After some useful comments over on NGRM-online, rather than use overscale sandpaper, it was suggested that I instead turn to tissue paper to replicate roofing felt. Happily, I had recently acquired some from a parcel that was protected with it; so I got to work cutting it into strips 13mm wide:
In the shot above you can also see a window being test fitted in the rear extension. Anyway, in order to glue each piece of tissue paper, the relevant area (including the edges and underside edges) were given a light film of slightly watered down PVA. In reality the photo below shows that too much has been applied, but you get the idea.
I started at the end of the carriage without an extension, and so carefully placed the first piece as follows; with both ends and the side overhanging:
It was then a case of cutting small slits (due to the curve) with a small pair of scissors and folding it all underneath. As you can see, the first piece had a few bubbles; and it's worth noting that whilst you have to keep the tissue paper taught, it is all too easy to accidentally tear it apart. Equally, you have to be incredibly careful when smoothing it, even with your finger.
Next two photos: As you can see, the curved roof section was done first. As I obviously couldn't glue the two roof sections in place yet, and I also couldn't glue the two roof sections together either. I eventually decided to use some tape to join the two roof sections so that it would be strong enough without relying purely on the fragile tissue paper to hold it all together.
Below: And here we see the process completed! A very pleasing effect indeed; as the subtle textures of the tissue paper just about show through, as do the joins.
Despite it being rather white, the tissue paper is thin enough that a lot of the grey paint underneath shows through, and actually the effect is rather pleasing. Whilst I will have to paint it to get it a slightly greyer colour, the paint will have to be thinly applied so that the detail still shows through. Perhaps a bit of drybrushing with white or light grey will be needed here and there. I also plan to dry brush a little yellow; particularly on the edges to replicate the growth of lichen!
Still, the windows and roof have made a huge difference; and despite there still being a lot more to add and gaps to fill, it's looking much better already.
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