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Structure Detailing FAQ's
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Nailing
A building develops its character by nailing individual exterior boards to the interior wall studs. It only takes a few minutes to nail the boards to build this character.
Nailing is performed by placing a scale ruler along one board of scribed wood. For every two scale feet (assuming framing of 24” on center), we nailed the board with the point of a very sharp pencil or awl. The nailing process primarily marks the board with a sharp point, leaving a slight depression.
After this, a straight edge was placed at the bottom of the scribed wood, and an architect’s triangle was butted up against it on the top of the scribed wood with one leg at a 90⁰ angle to the scribed boards. Line the angle with one of the previously made nail marks and nail the other boards. Ensure the nailing is not in a perfectly straight line, as no one's nails are perfectly straight. Also, ensure you nail around windows and doors, even if they are not at 24”. Remember, you are simulating the nailing into the building framing, so wherever there is internal framing, there would be a nail securing the external boards…
A stain or a wash can help define the nail marks to enhance the nailing.
NOTE: Do not punch a hole in the wood or make the hole too large. You are making nail marks that are maybe 0.25” in diameter at most. Practice on a scrap piece of wood before doing this on your model.
Replaced Boards in the Wood Walls
This is an optional step to perform after staining/painting the model. This step paints or stains selected boards on your model, making them appear as if they were recently replaced. Using a brush, paint/stain individual boards, causing them to darken and creating a sharp contrast with the lighter boards.
This step should only be attempted after thoroughly practicing the process on a piece of scrap, as this can ultimately damage your model. This technique involves applying one or two coats of your dirty/used Dio-Sol or Thinner to the surface of the completed, painted, and weathered model. Remember that you are applying a thinner; too much will damage your model. Again…PRACTICE FIRST on scrap wood. This technique will minimize that sharp contrast between the boards unless you want that just replaced and painted look on the individual boards. It will also tone down your paint job, giving it an older, weathered appearance.
Wood Dry-rot
Look at some old wooden buildings near you. Notice that some lower boards are broken or have a rough surface. This could be caused by dry rot. Dry rot is typically located along the ground or near areas where water may collect, such as near a faucet, under eaves, or by gutters. To achieve this look, rough up the lower boards in spots by gently passing your modeling knife repeatedly along the boards parallel with the scribed lines. Do not overdo this unless you want to depict a building in poor disrepair.
Broken Wood Boards
Using your modeling knife, cut out a section of the board at the joints or along the edges. If your building does not have an interior or framing, add a 2x4 stud or two inside next to a window or door, or any location where someone can see inside the building. This will provide the illusion that your building is complete with interior framing.
Wood Knots
Knots in wood are created by inserting the point of your modeling knife into the board where you want the knot and gently twisting, as you would with a hand drill. Do not overdo this. When done, add some gain detail around the knot to make it stand out more. Using your modeling knife, pass the point along the board parallel with the board until you get to the knot, then go around the knot. When you reach the other side of the knot, continue your parallel line and fade out. Continue this above and below the knot, fading the grains out the farther you get away from the knot. NOTE: This technique is difficult to see in HO Scale and may not be worthwhile.
Mud and Dirt Splatter
Mud and dirt splash from the ground after rain or snow, darkening or staining the lower portions of a building. This is especially prevalent when the ground around the building is dirt or when the building is next to a dirt road. Remember not to apply the splash on walls adjacent to grassy areas or paving.
Roofs and Bird Droppings
Take a look at the buildings around where you live. Notice the evidence that birds have been there from the whitish or off-white colored bird droppings on the roof peaks, ledges, or even streaked down the side of the walls in extreme cases. A few strategically placed off-white or whitish drops on your kit will indicate that people and birds are present in your layout. If you only want to create the appearance of bird life, avoid overdoing the droppings. Finally, if you can find a couple of birds in your Scale sitting, add them to the building’s roof line or a ledge.
A Broken Window
Using your hobby knife, scratch the window to indicate a crack, or cut the window material to simulate a broken window. Remember that cracked windows can be found in many buildings and are often left broken. However, completely broken-out windows are typically found in abandoned buildings, sheds, or outbuildings. Remember to use this trick on only a few buildings. Let your viewers find the cracks and broken windows.
Doors and Windows
Open a few doors and windows on your buildings unless it's cold on your layout. This helps give the impression that someone is home. Also, with an open door, ensure that if you can see inside, there is something to look at, such as a chair or table by the door or window, or perhaps a rug by the front door. Please remember to wipe your muddy shoes on a carpet outside the front or back door before entering the building.
Do not forget curtains, blinds, drapes, or shutters for your windows. These can be simple colored paper or fabric.
Weeds Around Buildings and Structures
Weeds pile up and grow alongside buildings and structures. Look outside your house, see where they grow, and place them around your structures. Weeds can be purchased commercially from several hobby manufacturers, or you can make your own. Remember that weeds look different depending on the location you model. Some are bright green, while others are dark green (or light brown when they dry out later in the summer). Some even have a yellow, purple, or other color tinge. The flowers can be made by applying paint to the weed material. I stress again, do not overdo it. If you look at a field of weeds, you can see the hint of color from the flowers, unless you are looking at fields of sunflowers or lavender. Tall grasses can be made from the bristles of old paintbrushes. Local Arts and Crafts stores near you might sell dried flowers for arrangements. Parts of these dried flowers can be used to model weeds on your layout.
Stuff Around Buildings
We are all guilty of it. Collecting items and leaving them around the house or building. The stuff could be old cars, vehicle parts, oil drums, leftover lumber from a past project, piles of weeds, weeds growing next to buildings, that old rusty refrigerator or stove you replaced, cans, bottles, and newspapers. You get the point. Walk around your house and town and see what we leave on the ground. If you want the appearance that people live on your layout, put “Stuff” out to weather and rust .
Roofs
When viewing our layouts from above, make sure you pay attention to the roofs. Roofs age and leak over the years, indicated by patch repairs to tar paper, metal roofs, and shingles that look newer than the surrounding areas. Additionally, it's possible that the neighbor kids threw something onto the roof, such as a ball. How about a television (TV) antenna? Cable TV may not have been available when your model was built, but a TV antenna might have been.
Signs on Buildings
Many companies offer decals or cardstock signs, or you can make your own. Take a look at photos of buildings from the era you model. Notice the signs. They were everywhere and in every condition to “just put up” to “been there for years and can barely read the si Many companies offer decals or cardstock signs; alternatively, you can create your own. Take a look at photos of buildings from the same era as you are modeling. Notice the signs. They were everywhere, in every condition, from “just put up” to “been there for years and can barely read the sign".
Out Buildings and Support Buildings/Structures.
Outbuildings and Support Buildings/Structures help fill in the voids between your main buildings and structures. These include garages next to houses, sheds, outhouses, pump houses, doghouses, and fences.
By adding these to an existing main building or structure, this area becomes a space where visitors can explore the little details.
Figures, Animals and Vehicles
These items help bring your building or structure to life. How often do you find a Gas Station or Garage without people, maybe a dog or cat, and a car in for repair or being worked on? Never! Perhaps the car is up on jack stands with one or two wheels removed. You could have the mechanic under the car with just their legs sticking out. If you have a vehicle with a detailed engine compartment, raise or remove the hood. If you remove the hood, place it on sawhorses so it is not just lying on the ground. Ensure the engine is dirty, as many model vehicles have shiny chrome engines. Don’t forget to open a vehicle door or trunk if possible.
Fence and gates
Fences establish accent boundaries for homes, keep animals and livestock in, and keep people out. Each fence is different and, depending on available funds or materials, varies widely from location to location. They can be made of wood, stone, wire, metal poles, or other materials. You don't need a complete fence around your building; just a partial one to give the impression of a larger fenced area. Do not forget the personal or vehicle gate next to the house.
Make the fence look old with a few broken or even new pickets or slats, and maybe the barbed or wire fence is only partially attached to the posts. Finally, do not forget the weeds that grow up around and next to the fence, along with a possibly a 'Keep Out' sign and trash and tumbleweeds that collect at the bottom of the fence, thanks to the wind.
Your next trip to the store….
Next time you shop in the store, look at the items for sale. Not for what they were originally made for, but for what you can use to detail your buildings and structures
This is just a sample of things you can do add details to your buildings or structures. Take a look at books on the time period you model and look past the building and structures. What else is in the photographs? The same applies to walking and looking around your house and town. Look past the buildings and structures to see what makes the areas look “lived in” or show the presence or people and animals…