Ground Goop

[ndwolf68]

Guys (and Gals),

I finally mixed my first batch of Lou Sassi's Ground Goop. I actually did a double portion, to give it a go and see how I like scenicking with it. I've read Lou's Basic Scenery for Model Railroaders many times and I think his methods are interesting and his great results attainable, even for a scenery "noob" like me.

Now the question(s): Who uses this stuff for scenery bases? How much/often? How do you like it? If you no longer use it, why & what do you use now? If you do like it, can you post some piccies? Love to hear what's goin' on out there...

Thanks!

R/,

Norm

[mecrr]

Norm, I've use it on dioramas. Great as a base for ground cover> Did you color yours? I mixed with a brown acrylic so it is a good foundation for about anything except snow, then again, 1/2" of melting snow would work well with the brown base.
David

[JMancuso]

I use it everywhere as a scenic base and bonding agent. I mix it to the consistency of tuna fish (chocolate tuna fish?). I spread it in various thicknesses depending on the need. I've built up small undulations (up to 1" or so) solely in one layer - it takes longer to dry, but works fine. I've also carved in drainage patterns on slopes and even bare rock faces. I don't think it's ideal for a large, jagged Fos-like carving, but more subtle ones work fine. It can also be spread with a pretty smooth finish for a dirt road or other flatter area. I sprinkle ground foam, static grass, etc right on it while it's wet and just keep piling on layers of scenic texture until I'm happy. Finally, I wet the whole mess again with "wet water" and dribble diluted white glue thoroughly from a dropper. If the glue pools too much, I might sprinkle some more texture in those areas. I dip trees, shrubs, etc in white glue and stick them in holes I punch with a nail later (my scenic base is foam and my typical goop application is around 1/4" or so).

These are the same methods Sassi describes, but I wanted you to know I've used it with much satisfaction (also very little mess and cleanup). If you're careful, you can work it right up to building foundations, etc with a palette knife. Even if it touches anything it shouldn't, you can wipe it up easily before it dries. I generally apply a large blob at a time with a putty knife, then move it around with smaller palette knifes (cheap plastic set from a craft store). I'm careful not to smooth it out too much (unless that's what I want).

I'm a fan if you can't tell. Good luck...John

[Night Train]

Ground goop contains vermiculite, which contains air borne asbestos. I wouldn't want to have this around my house after witnessing my son's bout with asbestos-induced cancer.

I'd use Sculptamold. It has all the same properties plus it sets in 30 minutes and dries hard, lightweight and flexible overnight.

[ndwolf68]

Ground goop contains vermiculite, which contains air borne asbestos. I wouldn't want to have this around my house after witnessing my son's bout with asbestos-induced cancer.

I'd use Sculptamold. It has all the same properties plus it sets in 30 minutes and dries hard, lightweight and flexible overnight.

Asbestos, huh? That's just an evil word. However, when I mixed the Celluclay and Vemiculite, I only got dust from the Celluclay - the Vermiculite was fine, but not so much so that it dusted when poured. Check out this site: http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/f ... culite.htm . We purchased Hoffman, Good Earth Horticultural Vermiculite, and the bag didn't give any kind of warning...

I also have a big bag o' Sculptamold, that I thought I'd try on another section of the layout... then compare my results... Many thanks for the warning Dave, I know you've also said this on the Podcast a time or two.

R/,
Norm

[MASSIVERALPH]

Not making lite of Dave's sons condition. When I was 12 I worked at my fathers perlite plant one summer packaging vermiculite in plasitc bags for a doll house that grew plants. I've ingested about 5 pounds of that crap. So what's it gonna do give me cancer? Been there, done that. Guess I'm a gonner.

[deemery]

Not making lite of Dave's sons condition. When I was 12 I worked at my fathers perlite plant one summer packaging vermiculite in plasitc bags for a doll house that grew plants. I've ingested about 5 pounds of that crap. So what's it gonna do give me cancer? Been there, done that. Guess I'm a gonner.

Guess that explains your skin condition in your avatar photo...

dave

[rebel]

Ground goop contains vermiculite, which contains air borne asbestos. I wouldn't want to have this around my house after witnessing my son's bout with asbestos-induced cancer.

I'd use Sculptamold. It has all the same properties plus it sets in 30 minutes and dries hard, lightweight and flexible overnight.

To set the record straight, vermiculite is not supposed to contain asbestos but about 90% of the product used to come from a mine that also had an asbestos vein and so the vermiculite got cross contaminated, that mine has now closed which is why vermiculite is so hard to find now.