Model Railroading > Scenery advise - cement

Working on the cement plant area. What would be a good ground cover material around the plant to replicate cement dust and spillage.
Thanks in advance

Walk into Lowe’s or Home Depot with a small jar, whisk broom, and ask to sweep up cement dust in that area.  Explain why so they will think you are only a little nuts.   Let us know how that works out, ok.
john

SeaboardMan Wrote:
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> Walk into Lowe’s or Home Depot with a small jar,
> whisk broom, and ask to sweep up cement dust in
> that area.  Explain why so they will think you
> are only a little nuts.   Let us know how that
> works out, ok.
> john

Dumb answer or are you part of the comedy club? He askes a valid question.

Chalk stick and scrap it into a powder.  It is the same particle size as portland dust.  

It’s a valid response.  He wanted to know what looks like cement dust.  Real cement. And there is always a little spillage in that area of both HD and Lowe’s.  I’m sure they won’t mind you cleaning up a little for a small project.

SeaboardMan Wrote:
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> It’s a valid response.  He wanted to know what
> looks like cement dust.  Real cement. And there
> is always a little spillage in that area of both
> HD and Lowe’s.  I’m sure they won’t mind
> you cleaning up a little for a small project.

Good answer. I agree with you.
Bill Pyper
Salem, Oregon
 

I like to use sanded grout. There will be several color choices that replicate the color of cement you have in mind.

I think it's a good answer.  What would it harm to inquire.  It wouldn't pay to buy an entire bag would it.

Good advice Jeff - let us know how it works out.

Cement dust from Home Depot is a great answer.  That is exactly what I did when I weathered my cement hoppers.  I gathered up a small dixie cup full and that weathered all my hoppers with a lot left over.
Mike Stewart 
Oakley, CA

I’ve noticed variations in the dust color around cement plants, probably due to weathering of the dusty material as it ages. For modeling purposes, I’ve done a few tests of different materials, applied as a light dust, and then sprayed lightly with wet water and matte medium. 

So far, varying applications of powdered wallboard compound, straight plaster of Paris, hydrocal, and #3 Portland cement ( the quick setting stuff, a bit finer grained than the ordinary #2) have worked well. A tiny bit of yellowish weathering powder helps, too. 

The biggest thing to remember member is that virtually everything has to be a dead flat surface. Unless they bought it yesterday, everything will have a matte finish.  There are powdery gray spray paints now available in rattle cans that are good at creating this effect. 

Good luck with the project. I’m about a year behind you in modeling an older plant. 

Here in Montreal a 30 kg (60 lb) bag costs $5.00. Buy a whole bag for half the cost of a bottle of model paint.

Ray 

Agreed....sanded grout should work really well...I use it around a team track that unloads Flexi-Flo cars.  Cheap and a lot of it for the money.

dlh Wrote:
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> I like to use sanded grout. There will be several
> color choices that replicate the color of cement
> you have in mind.