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Reply to "Creating a modular mountain on the Happy Valley RR--Update!"

So far, at least, the idea of using of Shaper Sheet to create overlapping flanges for the removable modules seems to be a good plan--though time will tell. The most effective way to use Shaper Sheet is to coat the fuzzy cloth side with thin plaster, which interacts with the cloth to create a rock-hard and rugged layer. Shaper Sheet is pricey, so I chose to save a few bucks using Hydrostone from Capital Ceramics (see photo) which sells online for about $15 for a hefty 5-pound bag. I mixed it thin--about like syrup--and applied it liberally to the Shaper Sheet using a throw-away bristle brush. I also coated the entire module with a thin layer (after lightly wetting it first with water from a spray bottle). The plaster stays runny for about 15 minutes, then starts to set quickly. I got about 95 percent of the module covered before the mixture got too stiff to work with a brush--so working fast is recommended. It doesn't pay to get too hung up on the little details during this first layer. It dries quickly into a hard finish that adds a lot of strength without adding much weight. And it's just a foundation.

I then applied Foam Putty (Woodland Scenics) along the seams of the flanges as well as the Styrofoam "rock outcroppings" so that they blended in with the landscape. Foam Putty is really fun to work with and it's amazingly light. I used about half a pint on this module, so the whole mountain project will probably require two 1 pint containers.

After everything dries I'll add another thin layer of Hydrostone in a few places, at which point the module will be ready for its base coat of paint.

I'm keeping loose track of the various costs involved with this project, and so far it has been relatively inexpensive. I'll provide a breakdown upon completion.

HydrostonePlaster 1Plaster and putty 1

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Images (3)
  • Hydrostone
  • Plaster 1: The first layer of Hydrostone has been brushed on.
  • Plaster and putty 1: Foam putty is a great product for filling gaps and blending materials.
Last edited by BruceG

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