Killingholme Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 Hi all, How do you replicate sand in small scale (specifically 1/35). I'm building an amphibious tank used by Russian Naval Infantry, and quite fancy finishing it as a vehicle that has just rolled up a beach. Hence sand stuck in the running gear and tracks. Real sand is far too coarse, but pigments seem too fine and dusty. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darby Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 What about Chinchilla dust? This isn't a wind up either. Very fine sand which can be had from pet shops. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krow113 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 You could try diatomaceous earth , from pet stores, the dio wont get fleas then...sand fleas...! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichO Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 I have the very same problem, but to a much more extent. The scale I'm working with is 1/110, and very fine sand looks like a field of large boulders. The powders are dusty and go everywhere. I'm building my first DIO, so I'm clueless about such things. I'm off to the pet shop to look at the "Chinchilla Dust", or some substrate for pets perhaps. I had also thought of some very fine blast grit from a sand blaster. The blast can be had at various grits. I will also look at some very fine sandpaper to lay down as a base for more detail on top to hide it a bit. I have no experience for this, so I will be watching closely. I'll chime in when I find something interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killingholme Posted February 9, 2017 Author Share Posted February 9, 2017 2 hours ago, Darby said: What about Chinchilla dust? This isn't a wind up either. Very fine sand which can be had from pet shops. Thanks, but no thanks! I think it's perfect for the job, but I accidentally googled 'chinchilla dust' in front of my wife, so now I'll have to buy an enormously cute Chinchilla too... Will 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Vale Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 I used dried crushed soil in 1/48 - I smashed it up with a mallet and toasted it in the oven. Looking at this picture again it's probably overscale (not the stuff on the vertical rocks, which is sand sand, but the "drifts" down the hill) but not too awful. Another option would be pigment powders. (another) Will 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutsabout Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 I'm just about to do a desert diorama for my 1:35 SAS Jeep. I was thinking something like a fine sandpit sand, but will check out the pet shops Ian.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rio Posted February 10, 2017 Share Posted February 10, 2017 My wife bought some candles in jars, they came with bags of very fine sand to put the candles in. 1 large bag was liberated for diorama use. rio 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badder Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 On 09/02/2017 at 9:41 PM, Will Vale said: ownI used dried crushed soil in 1/48 - I smashed it up with a mallet and toasted it in the oven. Looking at this picture again it's probably overscale (not the stuff on the vertical rocks, which is sand sand, but the "drifts" down the hill) but not too awful. Another option would be pigment powders. (another) Will SUPERB WORK! The 'drifts' or 'scree' to use the technical term, is perfect. Powder, sand, fine grit tends filter down through the scree and form a bed upon which the larger fragments slide more easily, so in a perfect environment the larger fragments are the ones that tend to accumulate towards the bottom of a scree, medium sized fragments in the middle and smaller ones towards the top. Of course, the world isn't perfect and so large 'erratics' may fall onto the scree from above and may sit where they fall for some time, and wind and rain could blow or wash all the underlying fine particles away, leaving the larger rocks stranded. Rearguards, Badder 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badder Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 On 09/02/2017 at 3:55 PM, Killingholme said: Hi all, How do you replicate sand in small scale (specifically 1/35). I'm building an amphibious tank used by Russian Naval Infantry, and quite fancy finishing it as a vehicle that has just rolled up a beach. Hence sand stuck in the running gear and tracks. Real sand is far too coarse, but pigments seem too fine and dusty. Any ideas? Personally, I'd use plaster of paris as a base upon which to scatter your 'sand.' BUT before it sets stipple all over it with a stiff brush. I'd also have a piece of ready-set plaster, crushed up and ready to sprinkle over the plaster at the same time. You want most of the plaster crushed up as fine as possible, but a small amount crushed less finely to simulate more of a grit (most beaches have some grading of particles, from fine sand to grit and pebbles) As the crushed plaster has already 'cured' it won't dissolve in any moisture so you can coat everything with dilute PVA and then sprinkle more finely crushed plaster over the top where needs be. Oh, and forget about the fine sandpaper idea. It won't look realistic unless it's shown in very small patches amongst rocks or shingle. Hope this helps. Rearguards, Badder 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longshanks Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Some good ideas above. Another thought in the pot, pumice powder available in different grades..... Kev 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard E Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 On 09/02/2017 at 7:42 PM, Killingholme said: Thanks, but no thanks! I think it's perfect for the job, but I accidentally googled 'chinchilla dust' in front of my wife, so now I'll have to buy an enormously cute Chinchilla too... Will Will - as they are social animals you may find that you need to get two enormously cute chinchillas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killingholme Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 On 11/02/2017 at 11:27 PM, Richard E said: Will - as they are social animals you may find that you need to get two enormously cute chinchillas Thanks.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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