Korber building mortar joints

We use the Roberts brick mortar on the painted buildings.

it needs to set up a bit, maybe 30 minutes or more, and then wipe it off.  The dulcote works well.  Not sure what the issue might be.

what happens when you try to apply the Roberts ?

It barely sticks that's why I thought it may be related to the satin paint. I'll try putting on as heavy coat as possible and letting it setup for a longer time. usually i wipe the mortar mix off within 10 minutes or so.

Thanks

Joe

I've used water diluted latex paint the consistence of milk.  Apply and wipe the surface.  Do several application with the panels laying flat on the work bench.  Eventually the paint will provide a mortar line.

Also note if applying paint or mortar material to bare plastic, it should be washed/lightly scrubbed to remove mold release agents.  I believe there was or is a plastic prep solution available from testors.

Same application on OGR Ameritown buildings.

Joe,

  Always use flat paints, in my opinion it's the satin paint that is giving you the trouble

Alex

Alex

I think you're right. I've used satin on other buildings that needed mortar and wasn't real happy with the results. It seems like even after a couple of days the satin still isn't completely dry. This building was a perfect example of that. I let the walls sit for 3 days and when I held them to do the windows and doors my thumb was sticking to the paint. It seems difficult to even get dullcote to stick. I put the mortar one once and scrubbed it off because I wasn't happy with the results. This time I put it on heavy and left it for over an hour. It's acceptable because I'm not a perfectionist. Some black wash covers up a lot of paint issues. I'm going to buy a couple of the small buildings Korber has on sale right now and use flat paint and we'll see if that's any better.

Thanks

Joe 

Also, Joe, be sure you have thoroughly shaken/mixed the Roberts stuff.  It settles quite a bit.  Unless the solids get into suspension, you're not going to see the material settle well into the mortar crevices.

...and I concur with a flatter paint patina....and thorough washing of raw plastic castings...

Lots of good advice in the replies!!

Mike CT.....great-looking mortar on the buildings!!!

KD

Joe,

You can just hit the satin surfaces with steel wool and you will help provide a better surface for the mortar.

Alan Graziano

Thanks Alan

That's better than 2 or 3 coats of dullcote and way cheaper.

Joe

Great results!

Joe:

If nothing else works try light weight spackle. Simply rub it into the mortar lines with a finger. Rub off the excess with another finger. If this does not work then I am stumped. Maybe too much of the painters touch was sprayed filling in the mortar lines????????

Joe

Thanks

I went with Rich's suggestion and let the Roberts mortar stay on overnight and that worked out fine. Usually with Roberts I wait until it hazes and wipe it off but for some reason that wasn't working here. Consensus seems to be the satin finish even though I dusted it with dullcoat before the mortar mix.

I have used Durhams wood putty with nice results. Mix it into a slurry, add a dash of india ink and brush it over the walls, and then wipe off. I like the effect.

can you provide a picture of what it looks like using your technique?

thanks