Cut grass - Like a park or lawn

Matt-M Apr 29, 2020

  1. Matt-M

    Matt-M New Member

    2
    2
    1
    I can find all sorts of references, YouTube videos, etc. for static grass in brushy, wilderness type areas. However, a layout I am currently working on has a park area, which would have grass that is regular mowed.

    I did some quick math and came up with the following Z-scale heights for static grass:

    1mm = about 9"
    2mm = about 17"
    3mm = about 26"

    All way too tall for mowed grass. What is the general recommendation for grass like this? Something like "fine turf" from Woodland Scenics?

    Thanks!
     
    polarMike and gmorider like this.
  2. rray

    rray Staff Member

    8,277
    9,277
    133
    Hi Matt, Welcome to Trainboard. Yes I would use Woodland Scenics fine turf for green park grass. I have only used 2mm, 4mm, and 7mm static grass, but only to simulate weeds and hay.
     
    gmorider likes this.
  3. rvn2001

    rvn2001 TrainBoard Member

    389
    373
    22
    Hi Matt,
    Welcome to Trainboard.
    You might also want to consider a grass mat.
     
  4. Matt-M

    Matt-M New Member

    2
    2
    1
    I used some grass mat on an N-scale layout many years ago. I remember thinking it looked pretty crappy. Maybe it has improved since. I will check that out along with the fine turf. Thanks!
     
  5. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    4,596
    550
    72
    I have not tried it, but I hear some people use clippers to give it the cut grass look.
     
  6. Commodore

    Commodore TrainBoard Member

    138
    115
    12
    Welcome!

    I do remember a great job that I saw one time. It was paint!

    Seems like it was on really fine sandpaper.

    Anyway, good luck
     
  7. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

    3,509
    161
    59
    I'd say in Z, a decent (Woodland Scenics) grass mat would give you a nice manicured lawn look.
     
  8. Commodore

    Commodore TrainBoard Member

    138
    115
    12
    It was 3M "Sandblaster Pro" 180 grit.
    Bob B. said it was yellow originally and that he DYED it green.

    Best that I've ever seen!
     
  9. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    I re-did my Wife's N scale Base ball, football and soccer fields. She did about 15 years ago and it was far worse than your kids community soccer or baseball field. Figures were trying to what was like clumpy trampled wheat fields. She said she used Woodland Scenic's Fine Turf. (OK, I don't challenge or argue).

    As I was removing the grass from the football field with a quality 2" square edge putty knife, it was more like shaving it, leaving a field of stub. I could only thing that it was flood with glue. So I got to thinking, it look a bit disheveled but not too bad (football and soccer fields get far more wear in the middle.
    So, I sanded off the high spots with a standard block sander, 80 grit. Hmmmm Looking good.

    Next, I went after the kid's base ball field, this time being less aggressive on scalping the field. Then, once sanded, it was like a putting green, quite level, smooth and 'scale' look grass.

    So if the grass is already down, try a top side scrape. If not already down, get your green Fine Turf (Scenic Express, Woodland Scenics, Pollak, Bachmann, yada, and brush a flat coat of white glue. Put the Fine Turf in a shaker or use a screened colander to spread it thin but well coated. Spay Wet Water (1 drop of dish soap in a small mister spray to moisten the turf. A few minutes later, same. Eventually, it will be noticeably wet but not flooded. Wait hours or tomorrow. Sand it with 220 or 180 paper on a block, NOT held in your fingers. It will come out better than the pix below. That was my first attemp.

    Mickie's Baseball_2-shrink.jpg
     
  10. bostonjim

    bostonjim TrainBoard Member

    846
    1,105
    27
    That's really nice work. Jim
     
  11. Z train things

    Z train things TrainBoard Member

    57
    184
    8
    That looks real nice Jeff. I always apprreciate a nicely cared for lawn......wish my real one looked that good.(y)
     
  12. rray

    rray Staff Member

    8,277
    9,277
    133
    Master Jeff, That ball park looks so realistic! [​IMG] The colors, and textures are just spot on!
     
  13. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    Next, I'm working on a Score board (with animation, like a Fast Clock) and a adding some classic sounds :)
    Happy Wife, stuff keeps arriving on the doorsteps :)
     
    Kez and rray like this.
  14. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    4,596
    550
    72
    Nice work Jeff.
     
  15. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

    3,191
    1,211
    64
    I love how you made coaches box look worn to dirt! Nice!
     
  16. Heay Equipment Designer

    Heay Equipment Designer TrainBoard Member

    208
    449
    19
    Looks great Jeff! Love the turf edges on the baseball diamond.
     

Share This Page