I am a novice to scratchbuilding and to this forum. You guys and gals seem to have all the tricks of the trade so I hesitate posting. However just in case
1. rust - take a piece of steel wool and put it in a jar with some vinegar. Cover the jar and let it stand. (do not seal the jar) the vinegar breaks down the steel wool and leaves you with a rust color liquid. I have used this stuff with some good results however I have found another use for it.
This mixture makes a great stain - you end up with a dark maple color on unfinished wood.
2. My daughter works at a custom framing shop. I asked her what they do with left-over matt board. they turf it. She brought some home and I am now using it for the backing on structures. One thing I found is it doesn't seem to warp as it it laminated . It is usually 2 colors eg. black laminated on white. Another thing is the color - a wide variety of colors. It also has a texture to it which can be used as the finised surface.
Hope this helps and now I will go and look at some other great stuff on this site.
Frank
1. rust - take a piece of steel wool and put it in a jar with some vinegar. Cover the jar and let it stand. (do not seal the jar) the vinegar breaks down the steel wool and leaves you with a rust color liquid. I have used this stuff with some good results however I have found another use for it.
This mixture makes a great stain - you end up with a dark maple color on unfinished wood.
2. My daughter works at a custom framing shop. I asked her what they do with left-over matt board. they turf it. She brought some home and I am now using it for the backing on structures. One thing I found is it doesn't seem to warp as it it laminated . It is usually 2 colors eg. black laminated on white. Another thing is the color - a wide variety of colors. It also has a texture to it which can be used as the finised surface.
Hope this helps and now I will go and look at some other great stuff on this site.
Frank