So like trees there must be a thousand ways to do ballast. So to add too all that is out there I present the way ballast is done on the J&J. Why? Well a fellow club member up here in Maple Ridge BC asked me to to demonstrate how I use a particular product, which he now is stocking in his shop, to glue ballast. The product is Acrilex matt medium an artists product that happens to do a fine job on ballast. I did not invent this method it was recommended by the owner of another Model shop that is now gone.
So what's so special about this stuff, it makes a tough membrane that is nearly naked to the eye and is flexible so those pesky little ballast rocks don't pop loose and foul points or truck gear boxes.
So with the aid of a few photos here we go.
Supplies you need:
Acrilex matt medium (other matt mediums may work but this stuff has a good price point as well)
rubbing alcohol 80% or higher is better, a mixing cup, an eye dropper, a nice clean stiff paint brush (quite small) and a small cup for the ballast as a spreader. Finally a nice fine mist spray bottle with wet water inside.
So below is the track to be ballasted I like to work in short lengths of about 10 -14" note the pin its there so I know where the loose ballast starts after spreading. Mix you ballast as you like, I use Woodland Scenics fine size material for N scale and blend my own mixes this light grey mix is my mainline colour.
So now I spread the ballast first I pour the ballast down, note the cup hijacked from my daughters baby tea set. After this I shape the ballast using the dry brush NOTE THE WORD DRY, wet ballast or surface will result in a less than satisfactory outcome.
Ok, using the brush I shape the ballast and clean the track and switch points of material till I have the look I want. I like to see the tie tops on my track, but that's just my preference. Did I mention to go slow and only drag the brush, good cause if you sweep the brush forward it will flick ballast everywhere.
Once it is shaped i wet it down with the sprayer and wet water, a fine spray stops the water droplets from pushing those fine grains of material around. Now its time to mix up the glue. My formula is 50% matt medium 50% wet water and 2 or 3 drops of alcohol. The Acrilex does not curdle with the alcohol like white glue will (that's from experience) and it helps drying time and penetration.
To put the glue down I use an eye dropper, I put glue down the center of the track and it works it way out under the ties then I do the banks of the ballast on each side. If the glue is sitting on top or beading hit the track with more wet water from the sprayer.
Work your way down the track and then let it dry, I find it takes 12 hours or more and even after that time the material feels loose but the next day it's dry, flexible, and tough.
As a bonus the Acrilex gloss medium makes a great steam water effect. This last shot is of glued ballast.
So one more method that you can try. In Canada Acrilex can be bought at artist supply shops. I'm not sure about in the US.
JOhn
