Bar Mills Mooney's Plumbing

[SteveCuster]

Thanks Doug and Jim

I decided on where this structure will sit on the layout and it's going to be a few feet from the front and the rear will not be visible. I didn't go crazy will the detailing of the front either just enough to make it look busy but I tried not to use any of my "A" grade castings.

One of the ways I use to give some easy detail and help cover up a flaw in a casting is with tarps or rags. It's a super easy and basically free way to spruce up some old or imperfect castings.



I started with a painted and weathered pallet. This casting didn't come with the kit and it's a little bit rough. I colored it with tan spray paint and A&I.


I cut a few pieces of scrap wood to simulate a box or load of some kind.


I separate a tissue into a single ply. This particular brand has a pattern on the edges so I cut my piece out of the middle. After I cut it out I crumple it into a ball as small as I can get it. Then I unfold it to give some natural creases.



I laid the tissue over the casting and saturated it with alcohol. One drop is usually enough to get it really wet because it wicks into the tissue. Once it's wet I touched it with a few drops of Reaper Pale Buckskin but any craft paint should work. While its still wet with the painted brush I press it down into the cracks of the casting till it looks natural.


I dusted the casting with some dark brown chalks and it's done.


I did the same for this casting only I painted it Reaper Jungle Camo. This type of casting always feels like it needs something else. I usually add a few boards, a chain, a couple rags, a tarp or maybe some hand tools.


I added a few details around the area and some post and rail fencing. I had originally made a chain link fence but I didn't like the way it felt with the diorama so I switched to this style.


The dirt is still a little wet in areas.



I added a few ladders to the side. I believe these are leftovers from an ITLA kit.


The details back here won't be seen real easily but will give the illusion of activity in the rear of the structure.



I think I'm mostly done at this point. I might add a few more things but I think it's time to clean of the my workbench and start something new.

Thanks for checking in.

-Steve

[vinceg]

Great job, Steve. The tarp is a great idea. I can use my own modeling mishaps to help direct me where to place more detail. Ingenious. Fantastic scene from a relatively modest kit. Thanks for sharing.

[Janbouli]

Outstanding modeling Steve. Thanks to this thread I will do a lot more detailing on my Mooney's before it goes on a layout.

[cuse]

Great modeling. The tarp is a great trick and I really love the ground cover...it's dulled down perfectly to complement the blue building. Great eye all around!


John

[NKP768]

Most excellent...

Doug

[JimMooney]

very nice, made me a new folder for those pics....

[PRR Modeler]

Great modeling Steve. Brilliant idea about the tarp. I'm going to give that a try.

[SteveCuster]

Thanks everyone. I'm glad you like it.

[swisstrain]

Thanks for creating this build thread, and showing us some tricks.  This diorama came out really great.

And the roof still does not sag ... 

[GPdemayo]

Great scene Steve.....

[Lynnb]

Really great tips on the detailing . I can understand the benefits with the reaper paints, although I don't have any, it is my understanding that they flow so much nicer than the craft paints.

Just curious what you used on the ground cover once you painted the foamboard ? Texture looks great.

Funny how the tank on the roof discussion always pops up once in a while, was brought to my attention when I did the Hunch Landing build, someone had made the suggestion that the verticle beams that supported the base of the tanks went right through the roof to the flooring below. 

[SteveCuster]

Thanks everyone.

Lynn, the ground cover is real dirt and mostly Woodland Scenics Coarse Turf Earth color T60 is the model. I mix in some Silflor mostly muted browns and greens. I'm glad you like my choices. I generally try to avoid anything too green. It never looks right to me.

-Steve

[Lynnb]

Thanks Steve much appreciated.

[BandOGuy]

Just got caught up on this fascinating build thread. Lot of inspiration here and thanks for the disguising tips.
Just a couple of nagging questions related to the water tank controversy (kerfuffle?) How many nail holes did you put in the support framing and what size were they? Inquiring minds want to know.