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Post by g3750 on Apr 14, 2020 15:53:40 GMT
Folks, As I learned to my chagrin, there IS a difference between spackle and drywall joint compound. I am working on scenery on both sides of the Ohio River for my PRR Panhandle 2 layout. On the left (Steubenville, OH), I used spackle to create some of the terrain. It went down over styrofoam, shaped easily, and took paint and ground foam well. It hasn't cracked or lifted up and looks pretty good. But I couldn't leave well enough alone, could I? No.  For the scenery on the right side (Weirton, WV), I decided to try drywall joint compound. The results were less than stellar - after 2 days it was still wet, had cracked badly, and flaked off easily. The two are similar and even have the same main ingredient, crystalline silica. But the formulations are different and for our purposes as model railroaders, the spackle is superior. www.bobvila.com/articles/joint-compound-vs-spackle/So, forewarned is forearmed. Be well, George |
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Post by JDaddy on Apr 14, 2020 16:16:39 GMT
I am old school... I use the plaster of paris in a bowl with strips of paper towel... then I apply rock molds … lots of them!
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Post by harborbelt70 on Apr 14, 2020 16:26:34 GMT
Folks, As I learned to my chagrin, there IS a difference between spackle and drywall joint compound. I am working on scenery on both sides of the Ohio River for my PRR Panhandle 2 layout. On the left (Steubenville, OH), I used spackle to create some of the terrain. It went down over styrofoam, shaped easily, and took paint and ground foam well. It hasn't cracked or lifted up and looks pretty good. But I couldn't leave well enough alone, could I? No. For the scenery on the right side (Weirton, WV), I decided to try drywall joint compound. The results were less than stellar - after 2 days it was still wet, had cracked badly, and flaked off easily. The two are similar and even have the same main ingredient, crystalline silica. But the formulations are different and for our purposes as model railroaders, the spackle is superior. www.bobvila.com/articles/joint-compound-vs-spackle/So, forewarned is forearmed. Be well, George
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 16:38:26 GMT
George it is a valuable learning experience. That is how you gain expert status.
We will probably watch Rick Batista’s video just before we are ready and copy that.
Good luck with the redo.
Bill
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Post by Country Joe on Apr 14, 2020 16:54:04 GMT
I didn't know there was a difference between spackle and drywall compound either. It so happens that I used spackle on my layout just because it happened to be what I saw when I was in either Home Depot or Lowes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 17:03:45 GMT
We are going to avoid all that messy white stuff altogether!! we are going to use Bragdon Enterprises molds for rocks, stacked walls, buildings, etc. bragdonent.com  I know, small pic. Check out their website. Gary. Found a bigger pic.  |
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Post by g3750 on Apr 14, 2020 17:41:12 GMT
George it is a valuable learning experience. That is how you gain expert status. We will probably watch Rick Batista’s video just before we are ready and copy that. Good luck with the redo. Bill Thanks Bill. Fortunately, the area affected was small. And learning about it now, rather than after using it on a large section was also a break. George
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Post by fabforrest on Apr 14, 2020 18:01:11 GMT
george, did you post a photo? if so, i can't see it.
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Post by g3750 on Apr 14, 2020 18:06:37 GMT
george, did you post a photo? if so, i can't see it. No, I didn't. I pried up the flaked, cracked area before I thought about it. George
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Post by ptc on Apr 14, 2020 18:07:28 GMT
Lesson learned, thanks for sharing with all of us. This will help a lot of our members.
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Post by Spice7 on Apr 14, 2020 18:07:51 GMT
I prefer structolite. It dries overnight. It has a rough coarse finish. I then may use sculptamold and plaster rock molds.
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Post by thebigcrabcake on Apr 14, 2020 18:31:46 GMT
Folks, As I learned to my chagrin, there IS a difference between spackle and drywall joint compound. I am working on scenery on both sides of the Ohio River for my PRR Panhandle 2 layout. On the left (Steubenville, OH), I used spackle to create some of the terrain. It went down over styrofoam, shaped easily, and took paint and ground foam well. It hasn't cracked or lifted up and looks pretty good. But I couldn't leave well enough alone, could I? No. For the scenery on the right side (Weirton, WV), I decided to try drywall joint compound. The results were less than stellar - after 2 days it was still wet, had cracked badly, and flaked off easily. The two are similar and even have the same main ingredient, crystalline silica. But the formulations are different and for our purposes as model railroaders, the spackle is superior. www.bobvila.com/articles/joint-compound-vs-spackle/So, forewarned is forearmed. Be well, George Great post! I think a lot of us didn't know the difference either. I didn't until I read your post and the link. Thanks for sharing your experience and saving the rest of us form the headache of using the wrong thing. Emile
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jlong
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Post by jlong on Apr 14, 2020 19:27:37 GMT
I too am old school. Open grid benchwork with a scenery base of hydrocal plaster soaked paper towels followed by rocks cast from plaster of paris in rock molds. Streets troweled with Durhams water putty stained with Higgins ink. These pics are quite old. Taken around 1982. My first O gauge layout.  Drywall joint compound in my experience cracks easily when applied too thick. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2020 22:32:09 GMT
Thanks for the info George.
I'll steer clear of joint compound.
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conductorrick
New Member
Thank you very much! Sorry I haven’t been on, just so busy right now.
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Post by conductorrick on Jul 9, 2024 12:06:15 GMT
Thanks George, I will be starting laying out my layout very soon, and the tip was very appreciated. I am glad I happened to come across it.
Thanks, Rick
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For the scenery on the right side (Weirton, WV), I decided to try drywall joint compound. The results were less than stellar - after 2 days it was still wet, had cracked badly, and flaked off easily.
