Static Grass

[KipperPK]

Hi,New to using the forum, so please bear with me. I have a relatively small amount of grass/weeds to do on embankments..... well it is 'N'! Probably no more than a couple of square feet in total. Looking to do layers of static, but the question is what is the best way to apply? I'm reluctant to spend what I regard as a lot on 'Peco' type products for such a small area. There appears to be a plethora of stuff on places such as Amazon (all Chinese) at reasonable cost. Question is are they any good? If you have bought such an item and it is good, perhaps you'd like to share the details?

[ntpntpntp]

Personally I stick to decent quality grass fibres from WW Scenics which I know has the colours and lengths I like.  I've found some brands of grass to be too shiny or are colour mixes I don't find realistic. 
 
Peco sells the same applicators as WW Scenics, I don't know whether Peco's grass is also from the same sources as WWS.

As for application, I'm still learning the art but I'd say definitely follow the tutorials that are out there on youtube for railway modellers and also military modellers.  Use the basing and layering glues sold for the job, rather than good old PVA.  The static grass glues tend to produce a more "rubbery" result and the fibres strand up better.

Here's one of my first goes at layering different colours to create a patchy field.



This was using longer "dead grass"



 

[KipperPK]

Definately agree about using decent materials and glues.....essential from what I've seen on YouTube. Still looking for a decent reasonably cheap applicator however

[port perran]

Another heads up for the WW Scenics applicator and grasses.
Some of the cheaper grass looks way too green for my liking.
It's the old adage - you gets what you pay for :

[crewearpley40]

Maybe worth a look

https://www.greenstuffworld.com/en/408-static-grass-applicator?srsltid=AfmBOoo__B3oYxaEgJfTUfCCk4xAYmJmTrMXJI1w3DVFGvDKU66mCWp1

Apart from wwscenics.com and https://warworldgaming.com/basing-glue-250ml/

Which my cousin has used

[ntpntpntp]

Definately agree about using decent materials and glues.....essential from what I've seen on YouTube. Still looking for a decent reasonably cheap applicator however

I have a WWS medium sized applicator and a Peco detail applicator (found that one cheap on ebay, I think someone bought a starter kit and never used it).    To be honest I only use the detail applicator for the areas I want to apply grass of a given type/colour. The Peco applicator I own has the battery in a separate box and two quite thick cables to the device and the grounding clip, and I find it best to stuff the box down the trouser-front and out of the way  

[jpendle]

I find it best to stuff the box down the trouser-front and out of the way

I shudder to think where you might be stuffing the grounding clip 

John P

[ntpntpntp]

Keeps my hands free, and doesn't require the battery box to rest on the layout



I think there's now a newer version that doesn't have the large box.

[Newportnobby]

I find it best to stuff the box down the trouser-front and out of the way

There speaks someone who has played cricket before

[zwilnik]

Keeps my hands free, and doesn't require the battery box to rest on the layout



I think there's now a newer version that doesn't have the large box.

isn't there a pretty hefty step-up transformer in that battery box too? If so I'd hate to think what sort of electromagnetic field it's chucking out around it.

[NOE 544R]

Hi all,

Just to save starting a new thread. I'm looking at using the WWS products and applicator... but I'm at a total loss on what size scatter is suitable for n gauge. I automatically assumed 2mm, but they advise this is the "base layer".

Just wondering what the wonderful people on here used, and if there are any good videos?

Thanks in advance
Mac

[PLD]

Hi all,

Just to save starting a new thread. I'm looking at using the WWS products and applicator... but I'm at a total loss on what size scatter is suitable for n gauge. I automatically assumed 2mm, but they advise this is the "base layer".

Just wondering what the wonderful people on here used, and if there are any good videos?

Thanks in advance
Mac

Well... question is how long is a blade of grass?? (Answer 1 eighth of a piece of string...)

If you want 1 ft high grass, 2mm is perfect! If You want longer grass you need longer fibres, if you want a neatly manicured bowling green, static grass is not really the right material as even the shortest fibres will be too long...

Whatever the case, with the exception of a well kept lawn, variation in colour/tone and length is going to give the most realistic results.

[ntpntpntp]

@NOE 544R   common sense would imply you'll generally want the shorter stuff for small scale modelling,  but vary it according to the scene you want to represent.  Look at the previous photos on this thread.   I've used mostly 1mm and 2mm in layers, with 4mm for tall rough grass and at the edges of fields etc.



For tutorial videos, WWS have some, and also look at videos by military modellers on youtube.

[crewearpley40]

Can I also add nicks just provided food for thought. I would recommend looking at tutorials suggested plus mixing colours depending on the season intended spring, summer plus whether as nick says are you considering tall rough grass etc