Why is it that, when you read about using foam for your layout, they always recommend the blue/pink foam instead of the white one ?. Is it because the blue foam is more dense ?, why can't you use the white instead ?. I have some 2x4 sheets of white polystyrene, and I was planning on using them on top of a 1/4" plywood. Should I go and buy some blue foam instead, and only use the white one for my mountains? Thanks Jesper
If it is extruded foamboard it makes no real difference what colour it is.Most of the white is really beadboard and has no real strength or workability.But,if all your doing is using it for a base to build your layout and scenery on it should work fine. By the way it also comes in yellow and green depending on who makes it. One more thing.The blue(pink,green,yellow) board is a bit messy when being worked.The white beadboard is a flat out MESS! to work with those beads stick to anything they come in contact with. [ 02 September 2001: Message edited by: Catt ]</p>
This foamboard thing can get confusing, but it is worth the effort to learn what to use and how. I use 1" blue foamboard for the subroadbed on my mainline and in large, flat areas as well-it is denser than what i call the white "packing foam". The packing foam stuff can be cut into shapes for mountains, but i like to carefully break it to get a rugged rock type texture-you can glue it in any number of ways, and makes some real good cliffs and outcroppings for me when i spray paint it with grey textured granite paint. When i want to be able to use hot glue on my foam i use stuff called Celotex-won't melt like most foams from the glue's heat. Curt
Both types of foam become statically charged when worked. That make each tiny pirce attracted to anything with a negative charge, like skin, clothes, paint, woodwork, cat fur, food, Gradpa's shorts, and your mother-in-law's knickers. Bad news any way you look at it. Not too bad when carved with a very sharp hand honed knife, or a hot wire, though the hot wire gives off toxic fumes.
