The Empire

[Zephyrus52246]

Another issue is the edge of the backdrop at the edge of the town.  When this was built, this was a problem to figure out "later".  Well, it's later.  

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

I first glued the metal sky backdrop to the masonite backing with 5 minute epoxy.  I then cut a piece of plywood to fit the area and had to make small blocks glued to the 2x4 to bring the plywood piece to the edge.  1/2 inch quarter molding used to cover the corner, then painted black to match the eventual fascia.  Next is to put up the printed backdrop that started this whole shebang.

Jeff

[friscomike]

Howdy Jeff, the backdrop is looking very good, especially the corner. Have fun, mike

[deemery]

I like how you finished the edge of the atmosphere.

dave

[PRR Modeler]

Very good solution for an eyesore edge.

[Zephyrus52246]

Thanks, Mike, Dave and Curt.   The next two sections are 2 foot and 3 foot wide as they are "transition" sections.  One goes from hills to flat and the second goes from blue sky to clouds.  I noticed after the curve piece was up, that it seemed a bit lower on the left than the right.  Checking the left edge, it was 89.5 degrees, not perfectly vertical.  I was worried this might happen, as it's an 8 foot piece and the backdrop curve isn't perfectly flat.  I did add the first transition, knowing it would be off as well.  The second picture shows the metal sheet isn't perfectly flat.  There are a couple of areas with bumps as well.  It was a pain to put up originally.  It's hard to see in the picture, but the left edge is closer to the bottom of the metal than the right edge.  

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

It even causes the backdrop to interfere with the screws holding the metal on.  Some of which had to be removed, others left as scenery will cover them.  I needed to even up the edge or the backdrop would continue to slope down to the left and over another 12 feet that would not work.  I did the hill to flat transition as the green not matching would be more noticeable than the sky, so at the left edge I cut the backdrop while attached to 90 degrees.  But the edge wasn't perfect.  So I hung the 3 foot piece with the left edge at 90 degrees and had a slight over lap.  I was worried there'd be a bump where the left piece overhung the right, but that didn't occur.  But these two joints are the most noticeable on the whole backdrop. 

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

You'll also note I had 3 small tears at the top.  I finally figured out if I took the tape (and I did find some 3M "delicate surface" tape), and stuck it to myself and then the backdrop it didn't tear.  It also didn't hold very well and I used regular blue tape over the top of these so they would stay on the wall.  I also used the plain blue tape to mark the top of the curved areas as my gatorfoam template wouldn't work.  I used the level to start this section marking it for the tape.  

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

This piece has a road with some structures on it.  You can see where I needed to remove a screw so it didn't interfere with the backdrop.

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

As I had some glue ooze out of a couple of the earlier joints, I figured out that putting up a paper mask and spraying to the edge, if there was too much adhesive, I could smooth it out so there was no oozing.  Once the spray turns a bit white and is tacky, it's time to roll the next part on.

Jeff 

[Zephyrus52246]

Putting up the final two pieces and taking a 2.6 mile walk today has left me pooped.  I did prep the final area where the town is, and had a bit of a mess to clean up.  Or "pick up/put away" as Dave puts it.  

Jeff

[Zephyrus52246]

But, this section is finished.  The left edge will get the same 1/2 quarter trim when I cut and paint one.  It sure looks different with the printed backdrop.  The black antenna/wires are my NCE radio base station.  There's a satellite back above the white board in a previous post.

Jeff

[PRR Modeler]

You're doing a great job Jeff.

[Rick]

You're doing a great job Jeff.

I totally agree.
It looks excellent.

[Philip]

You're doing a great job Jeff.

I totally agree.
It looks excellent.

Yep, huge layout!