Help required with plaster on Adobe buildings

[Eric the Shed]

Hi Folks

I was wondering if there was somebody out there who can help me?
I am in the process of building a village for my Pirate Island and have settled on an adobe style - this way I can use the buildings for other genres, periods etc.
To date I have constructed 10 buildings (planning on 16) out of foamcore. The original intention was to goat these in masonry paint but having scanned various sites I see a number of folks have 'plastered' the buildings.
Two simple questions:

What product would you recommend (I am in UK - so no Spackle please)
Does the foam core need to be treated so the 'plaster' sticks?

By the end of this wekend all major construction of the village will be complete (this will be posted on blog) so the 'plastering' can start in earnest next week. It would be good to pick up supplies over the weekend.

Thanks in advance

Erice

[white knight]

Why no spackle?  In the UK the brand name "Polyfilla" or "Polycell" is associated with this product.

[Mason]

Giles: Nag Malamute, he did a tutorial recently and it was rather nice.
 

[Malamute]

Giles: Nag Malamute, he did a tutorial recently and it was rather nice.
 

No nagging required.

Giles, yes, the plaster will stick, no treating required. I use a tub of Polyfilla. I do water it down a bit  so it's easier to apply and use a pallet knife. When it's dry a rub down with some sand paper to take the roughness off and away you go.

You can see various attempts in my San Antonio gallery on the Boot Hill website. Or look at some of my threads over the years on the workbench and Old West board.

Here's the most recent one, but it doesn't show the rendering process.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=42890.0

Some of the town buildings including the finished Governors Residence:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=47588.0

Or alternatively when you pop over to play Sharp Practice  you will see some of the houses in the flesh or give me a call over the weekend and I'll talk you through my method.

[Eric the Shed]

Hi Folks

Thanks for the speedy response – Nick I didn’t realise that Boot Hill was your business – very nice ! Love the buildings as well. I don’t think mine will come up this standard more of a ramshackle affair...

In terms of adding water should it be mixed to get a thick paste (toothpaste consistency?)

Pallet Knife - I use Ice Cream tub lids - flexible, cheap (if you have kids), easy to cut to different shapes and disposable

Looking forward to Sharp Practice !

cheers

[Oldben1]

Hello,
I've used a few different methods myself.  I like spackle watered down witha bit of sand a nd glue mixed in.  I used this method for my Star Wars buildings.


Endor 002 by oldben1, on Flickr

Recently I switched over to the spray on paint texture because I found it drys a lot harder and seals the building.  I made these buildings out of MDF, filled all the holes with wood filler and sprayed them.  Afterwards I simply drybrushed them.


DSC06245 by oldben1, on Flickr


Eric, thanks for your help with the roads, I'm going to try your method later this month

[Eric the Shed]

Nice buildings - I have some of that spray - doesnt it corrode the foam?

Eric

[Oldben1]

Not sure.  I've used it on matting, wood, and plastic.  I don't think it would.  The only issue I find is the eveness of the spray.

[Malamute]

Hi Folks

Thanks for the speedy response – Nick I didn’t realise that Boot Hill was your business – very nice ! Love the buildings as well. I don’t think mine will come up this standard more of a ramshackle affair...

In terms of adding water should it be mixed to get a thick paste (toothpaste consistency?)


cheers

Mine are pretty basic builds adobe is not hard to replicate, I think the secret is in  how you paint them.
The Polyfilla needs to be not thick like toothpaste, slightly runnier, but so that it spreads easily,but not too runny that it runs when you apply it. Its hard to describe, once you start experimenting you will soon find the right consistency.

I dont apply it too thickly either, you can be quite sparing. The thinner you make the coating the quicker it dries and then there is less to rub down.
I think sandpapering is essential afterwards to get that smooth look as well.

[Yankeepedlar01]

I have used sand Basetex on both foamboard and MDF. Worked for me and only needed dry brushing afterwards.
David