HO scale dirt

[John from Indiana]

I have had the worst luck with Woodland Scenics ground foam...it never dries...NEVER. I usually scrape it up and throw it away. I am currently using Arizona Rock (Armballast) Sand. I like the way it covers and GLUES. I have never had a problem with this company; but it's a little spendy now with the mailing rates. I saw an ad for hamster fine sand with lumping (?). I also saw an ad for 4 lbs of natural fine filtered sand at Walmart for 16 bucks. (no customer reviews). Armballast is/was $7 for 9 ounces. I would like to use real dirt; but ours is too dark. What do you guys use for sand/dirt ground cover? I remember sand at the beach being very lumpy when water was applied; don't know about scenic cement

 

[santafewillie]

I have never had any issues with Woodland Scenics ground foam. It does take overnight to dry though. I haven't had the need to try real dirt, but I have used sifted beach sand before. The trick to using sand, for me at least, is to thoroughly mist the area to be covered with an IPA/water solution first, sprinkle the sand where you want it, mist again and then apply the scenic glue...in my case a 60/40 mixture of water and Elmer's White Glue. I don't use the Elmer's School Glue because it's already too diluted. I could probably experiment and use it, but why try to fix something else that works. I use the same technique for the ground foam. I feel that the trick is to work in small batches and pre-misting holds it in place like the sand.

 

[PNKFLOYD]

If you want fine dirt, find the dirt from a baseball pitchers mound. Scrape up a cup full.( Not during a game! )
Spread it on a cookie sheet and bake at 200 degrees for one hour to kill the local wildlife.
Apply per Willie's instructions above. Definitely work in small batches.

 

[Marlin39]

Go to a landscape supply and buy a bag of decomposed granite. Just sift out the big chunks and you have good dirt. I paid $8.50 for 1/2 cu/yd

 

[John from Indiana]

I have never had any issues with Woodland Scenics ground foam. It does take overnight to dry though. I haven't had the need to try real dirt, but I have used sifted beach sand before. The trick to using sand, for me at least, is to thoroughly mist the area to be covered with an IPA/water solution first, sprinkle the sand where you want it, mist again and then apply the scenic glue...in my case a 60/40 mixture of water and Elmer's White Glue. I don't use the Elmer's School Glue because it's already too diluted.

I always sprayed 90% ISA full strength...But the next step might have been my mistake. I applied Elmer's School Glue 1-to-1 with water; and it was still puddled up this morning. I tried an industrial dryer and that didn't seem to do much. Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks, I can still learn new tricks; but I forget them all the next day

 

[kjd]

Could you paint the to dark dirt a lighter color? I saw a diorama builder do that and he mentioned nearly every surface gets painted.

 

[2Tracks]

I believe it was a Youtube vid a guy used non-sanded tile grout mixed with the dirt? If that is correct.......
The grout comes in different shades......