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Forum Boards => Kit Building => Topic started by: Zephyrus52246 on December 18, 2020, 04:48:46 PM

Title: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 18, 2020, 04:48:46 PM
On my layout thread, I recently noted that I needed a taller structure than the planned one, to "block" a sight line.  I already have built this kit, and used it for the area, where it seems to work well.  However, I had already planned to use this on another area in the town.  Therefore, I'll build it again to use in one of the two spots.  I may (or may not) change the signs.  It's in the back of the town, and not very visible.


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 18, 2020, 04:51:39 PM
I doubt I can get by with the same color scheme.  And I suspect I'll rename the hotel, but otherwise, it's the same structure.  Here's the box contents.  Hydrocal castings, some styrene, plastic windows, signs. 


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 18, 2020, 04:53:52 PM
First up, the castings have flash on the edges, and the backs aren't perfectly flat, so carefully sand the edges (not the ones where brick or stone detail is).  I also sand the inside edges to a little more than the width of the side wall which needs to attach to it.  A big piece of sandpaper on flat plate glass is good for this.

Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 18, 2020, 04:56:46 PM
Sand the tops of the walls as well, as they are usually a bit irregular/have flash as well.  Then the window openings need the flash removed.  A used #11 blade is good for this.  Then fit the windows to make sure they sit flat (and straight).  An issue on the right side of the structure is some plaster needs removing over the sills, where the tweezer points.  Carefully carve this out with the tip of the blade.

Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 18, 2020, 04:59:23 PM
All the windows/doors are then fitted.  On this structure, one of the upper double arch windows didn't quite sit parallel to the others and edges of the opening were slowly carved/sanded to correct this.  The windows are slightly off (only about a millimeter), but trying to correct this may leave a visible gap, so I'll live with it.  The reason I checked for the parallelness (is that even a word?) is that when I built this before, I noticed after the windows were in one was "off".   ::)

Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 18, 2020, 05:00:50 PM
Next up I painted the insides spray flat black, and then the fronts spray flat white.  This eliminates getting hydrocal on your fingers every time you touch the structure.  Then, using five minute epoxy, I start attaching one side wall to the front.  Don't attach the clamps too tightly, you might break the wall. After that dries, attach the other side wall.  This way, the front and side walls will be perpendicular.  Later you can sand the back wall to fit incase it's too wide.  If it's too short, I'd attach a piece of stripwood to it, and fill in the gap with spackle. Mine was slightly tight at the bottom.  Working on flat plate glass over a grid helps make sure everything is square.


Jeff

Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 18, 2020, 05:07:31 PM
I then sprayed the corners with the white paint to cover the slightly shiny glue areas which oozed out.   :-[  I braced the corners with some wood.  Don't throw away the cardboard that comes in the packing with the kit, the instructions suggest making an internal brace with this.  Again these were epoxied (and the cardboard Elmer's glued) in.  It's drying now, time to pick out some colors.


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 18, 2020, 05:08:22 PM
I use this epoxy instead of the type that comes in two attached syringes.  That type tends to get all epoxied up at the end.

Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: ReadingBob on December 18, 2020, 05:11:57 PM
Cool!   8)  A Downtown Deco build.  Can't wait to see what you do with this one.  I think I have it in my closet.  I keep telling myself I need to build a DD kit but something else always ends up cutting in line.  :D

Your comment on the windows not being aligned with one another brought back some memories.  When we got married in 1990 my wife and I bought an old, dumpy little row home in St. Clair, PA for $25k.  The two windows in the rear bedroom where obviously not level with one another.  They were off by an inch or two.  We put a new roof on that place, new carpet, wallpaper, etc. and ended up selling it for $20k ten years later when we moved to Florida.   ::)
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: PRR Modeler on December 18, 2020, 06:11:11 PM
Great modeling so far. I'll be following.
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Mark Dalrymple on December 18, 2020, 07:16:05 PM
Looking good, Jeff.

I'll have to hunt out some epoxy glue like that.  My RDA Hermanson's mill plaster kit was horrific for the windows being out of level and plumb!

Cheers, Mark.
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: S&S RR on December 19, 2020, 08:37:18 AM
Jeff


The build is looking great. 
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Jerry on December 19, 2020, 09:47:35 AM
Looking forward to the build.


Jerry
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: postalkarl on December 19, 2020, 09:50:03 AM
Hey Jeff:

Looking good so far. I will be following along.

Karl
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Opa George on December 19, 2020, 10:42:45 AM
Nice start on this, Jeff. I haven't tried any of the Downtown Deco structures yet, but they intrigue me. I'll be following.
--Opa George
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: MAP on December 20, 2020, 08:06:47 AM
I'll be following along as well Jeff.  I've also got a couple of DD kits but haven't built one yet.  Keep those progress pics coming.
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: GPdemayo on December 20, 2020, 08:46:20 AM
Neat building Jeff.....I'll be looking in.  :)
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 26, 2020, 09:21:46 AM
Thanks for following along, gentlemen.  Bricks painted with two light coats of acrylic.  Applied wet and streaky.   The weird line on the bottom must be a flash reflection from the glass.


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 26, 2020, 09:23:43 AM
Then a light streaky coat of raw umber.  Next up all the concrete areas.  Tops of the walls, cornices, sills.  Still need to pick a color for the window frames.


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: nycjeff on December 27, 2020, 11:01:08 AM
Hello Jeff, you're doing a great job on this kit, especially on the corner seams. Working on the hydrocal walls is very different than any other type of kits. I built the Trackside Tavern a while back and had a good time with it. I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out.    Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Opa George on December 27, 2020, 02:49:12 PM
I agree with NYCJeff, the corner seams look great.   Nice job with the colors.  Looking forward to the next steps.

--Opa George
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Mark Dalrymple on December 27, 2020, 03:08:08 PM
Looking good, Jeff.

Are you planning on picking out a few individual bricks in different shades?

Cheers, Mark.
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 27, 2020, 03:23:00 PM
Jeff, I think sanding the back side of the walls a bit helped with the seams.  If this was a foreground structure, I would have used a bit of spackle in them.  Thanks.


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 27, 2020, 03:24:06 PM
Thanks, Opa George.  The colors are the opposite of my previous build.  Cheap acrylic barn red and a terra cotta. 


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 27, 2020, 03:25:31 PM
Thanks, Mark.  I probably could have, but as this isn't quite in the foreground, I decided not to pick out some of the bricks.  Since only two sides and a bit of the top of the other side would be visible, I probably should have as it wouldn't have taken much time. 


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 27, 2020, 03:28:20 PM
Concrete areas painted.  I used two slightly different colors for this, so the buildings weren't the same.  A dark blue was airbrushed onto the tile on the right side.  The windows will match the blue on the right.  On the left, light green windows will be used.  Stone areas painted as well. There will be a structure on the right side of the building, so the stones don't need detailing.


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 27, 2020, 03:36:23 PM
Anyone who's followed one of my previous builds knows that I really dislike glazing windows.  Acetate would be my preferred material, but the arched windows here preclude that.  So I'm using a liquid glazing, called diamond glaze.  It works OK most of the time on smaller windows, on these larger ones, some of my early attempts are wrinkly.  So I tried the micro krystal clear on a couple.  It isn't working very well, either.  I try to straddle the edges of the windows on something while they dry so they'll be flat.  Doesn't always work. We'll see when these dry which I'll use for the rest.  Funny, on my last build of this structure, when it came to the windows, I think it sat for several months.   ::)


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on December 27, 2020, 03:38:24 PM
The roof has some issues as well.  It's two different levels.  The upper level piece of styrene isn't in the kit.  Easy enough to cut some cardstock to fit.  There's a center spine to separate the roofs, then a single piece of styrene to lift the higher roof above the other.  Only one piece where you need two.   :o Some similar sized stripwood fixed this problem easily. 


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Keep It Rusty on December 27, 2020, 04:44:19 PM
Really enjoying this thread, Jeff.

Randy at Downtown Deco sent me a box of walls and streets to play with just before Christmas. They really do make nice stuff.
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: postalkarl on December 28, 2020, 06:02:23 PM
Hey Jeff:

Looking very nice. Can't wait for more.

Karl
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: GPdemayo on December 29, 2020, 08:36:44 AM
Great progress Jeff..... 8)
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: tom.boyd.125 on December 29, 2020, 12:46:34 PM
Jeff,
Know what you will be working on today after you get home from work and watch the snow storm outside...
Downtown Deco structures are neat !
Tommy
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: ACL1504 on December 29, 2020, 02:33:32 PM
Jeff,

Very well done on the Ave #3 kit. I have about a dozen or more of Randy's stuff but haven't pulled the "Start Trigger" yet.

Enjoying your thread, thanks for posting.

Tom  ;D
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: NEMMRRC on January 04, 2021, 01:46:46 PM
Quote from: Zephyrus52246 on December 27, 2020, 03:36:23 PM
Anyone who's followed one of my previous builds knows that I really dislike glazing windows.  Acetate would be my preferred material, but the arched windows here preclude that.  So I'm using a liquid glazing, called diamond glaze.  It works OK most of the time on smaller windows, on these larger ones, some of my early attempts are wrinkly.  So I tried the micro krystal clear on a couple.  It isn't working very well, either.  I try to straddle the edges of the windows on something while they dry so they'll be flat.  Doesn't always work. We'll see when these dry which I'll use for the rest.  Funny, on my last build of this structure, when it came to the windows, I think it sat for several months.   ::)


Jeff
The Gallery glass people make this plastic sheets that lay under the "stained glass" to help smooth out and fill in the gaps when applying the Crystal Clear. Look it up on YouTube. That is how I first learned to apply this stuff. It does well but it does leave a stained glass look since well, it is made to simulate stained glass  ;D

Here is a link to one of the official Gallery Glass videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmQuasExnp4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmQuasExnp4)


And here is some yahoo trying to act like a bigshot trying out the stuff lol:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEXdJ21cWTE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEXdJ21cWTE)


Have you tried microscope slides?


Jaime
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on January 04, 2021, 08:08:35 PM
Great video, Jaime.   :D   I'm not going to try microscope slides, I'd cut myself.  I'd have used clear plastic acetate for the windows, but the arches would be impossible to cut.  The gallery glass spread better with a wide piece of stripwood than the toothpicks I've used in the past.  Anyway, thanks for the tips and the video links. 

Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on January 05, 2021, 03:11:21 PM
One (minor) issue with the plaster structures are the walls are very thick, so if you look thru the windows, you can see the thickness of the building.  I tried painting the back of a window black, but didn't like the effect, so I painted the inside of the windows black and used black construction paper glued to the inside of the walls to block the view inside.


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: deemery on January 05, 2021, 03:43:10 PM
But remember, structural brick walls were as much as 18" thick!  A more modern building would have a brick veneer over a steel frame (so the windows would be maybe 6" recessed.)

dave
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on January 09, 2021, 02:05:11 PM
That's true, Dave.  If there was an interior here, I'd have painted the inside of the arches the color of the room.  The roof was fitted and sprayed with some texture paint, which is actually the tan on the right.  I overpainted this on the left as I again wanted this to be two separate buildings.  Need to figure out some roof details, there are two air conditioning units included, need some stacks as well.  Edge was sealed with "tar" made from Elmer's glue and black paint. 

Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on January 09, 2021, 02:09:19 PM
Windows are in finally.  Some of the liquid from the "glass" got over the edges, and since these were a real tight fit anyway, that needed to be trimmed/filed out.  Of course a couple of the window panes "broke" and one was so bubbly, I had to cut them out and replace them.  Still need to finish the right side door.


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: bparrish on January 09, 2021, 03:00:16 PM
Jeff...

Looks great.   The arch windows are a problem for what I am going to suggest next but.....

Consider microscope slides or covers.  You of all people should not have any trouble running those down.

Use a machinist's scribe to cut and fit them.  One single swipe will do it.  Don't dig so deep that you can see a raggedy etched line. This is shattered glass and when you go to break it the glass will run all over because it does not see a single score.

Additionally a viewer of your railroad cannot see how thick the glass is. 


Now for the windows.... Many kit suppliers are using Tichy or Grandt Line windows that ordinarily would be used on wood structures. Brick structures have the windows set in as (noted earlier) some brick buildings have very thick walls.  Three or four courses of brick in thickness.

Try and find windows that are designed for masonry. That is they don't have an outer flashing molding so as to allow you to set them back into the brick. Now your glass is right up against the back of the window casting.

Hope this helps

Bob
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on January 09, 2021, 05:37:28 PM
Bob, how would you cut the glass for the semicircular arch tops?  I couldn't even cut acetate accurately for them.  Thanks for looking in.

Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on January 11, 2021, 04:39:32 PM
Found/made some roof details in addition to the two A/C units for the roof.  Some weathering added to the roofs as well.


Jeff

Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on January 11, 2021, 04:43:13 PM
Last items were the front signs.  There's an included bead to be used as a lamp, but I didn't add it there will be lamps on the sidewalk.  I used the included bar sign, but made a new sign for the right side building.  Also made a Bar Mills sign (see my challenge build thread) for the right side.  Also a picture of the back, no one's gonna see it after it's on the layout.

Jeff


Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on January 11, 2021, 04:44:29 PM
Here's the structure in place, with it's "clone" next to it.  It's going on the other side of the town in the background, so I doubt many would notice they are the same buildings.  Anyway, thanks for following along!


Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: PRR Modeler on January 11, 2021, 05:04:54 PM
Very nice Jeff.
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: Zephyrus52246 on January 11, 2021, 06:10:17 PM
Thanks, Curt.  Turned out OK, I think.

Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: nycjeff on January 12, 2021, 04:52:59 PM
Hey Jeff, it turned out great. I also enjoyed the thread on your billboard.    Jeff
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: GPdemayo on January 13, 2021, 08:23:26 AM
Well done Jeff..... 8)
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: tom.boyd.125 on January 13, 2021, 11:39:35 AM
Jeff,
Remember that Bar Mills sold them, but never saw that one...nice work !
Tommy
Title: Re: Downtown Deco Addams Ave 3
Post by: ACL1504 on January 13, 2021, 06:39:10 PM
Jeff,

They look great to me, well done!

Tom  ;D