Robert's Brick Mortar - anyone else used this?

Not to knock Roberts Brick Mortar, but I just use cheap medium grey craft paint, slightly watered down and a tiny drop of Dawn.........

Pat

Pat, that was how I got started in weathering brick mortar as well...and unless I can get in touch with the people who make and sell Robert's Brick Mortar, I will be going back to the old latex paint technique. At $13 to $15 for a 4 ounce bottle, the stuff ain't cheap. But, it use to go a long way and was much easier than the latex paint method.

I have very good results with spackle. It easy to undo bad spots with a damp cloth.

I bought some last month, worked fine, no strong odor.

I bought the 1 0z. bottle on ebay (the seller was Korber Models) a few months ago and, after experimenting with various other methods (some mentioned here), I found the Robert's to be the best for the new Roundhouse I assembled. No adverse smell and worked as advertised. I brushed it on and let it set for about 30 - 45 minutes and then wiped off the excess and was satisfied with the results.

I wonder how long yours might have been sitting in that hobby shop's inventory.

@Paul Kallus posted:

  ...snip... to achieve consistent results for a given building).  ...snip... 

Unless it is a brand new building, I would not want it to be consistent. Harmonyards' engine house above a great example of the weathering/leaching out of the mortar.

This IHC engine house (extended using half of another kit) was done with a wash of white paint as I recall:

All nice results, above.

I got in touch with the makers of the stuff and they said they're going to test the most recent batch, although I don't know what batch mine came from as it was sold by a distributing hobby shop (whom I haven't been able to get a hold of). And, unlike past bottles, there's no batch numbers on this recent bottle. Hopefully, I can get another bottle of the stuff directly from the supplier, and no middle man.

As I mentioned, I've been using this stuff for many years now...have probably done 25 buildings with it, some shown below. Last evening, I spent close to 2 hours trying to get two walls done, with pathetic results. If the batch had been like previous bottles, I would have gotten done 2 buildings in that amount of time.

I sometimes cannot comprehend the problems I encounter with products in this hobby - whether it be a new engine that doesn't work right, getting something repaired, or something simple like this. I suppose if I was retired and had time to devote to it then it'd would be another matter. As it is, I can barely get anything done on the layout or find time to run trains. Nevertheless, I am grateful that I am still working and have a job that enables me to be in this hobby.

Honestly, I really would have to forewarn anyone who wanted to get into the hobby to be prepared for loads of frustration and challenges. The amount of time it takes to get anything accomplished is the kicker...and as I get older it seems like everything, even simple jobs, takes longer.

I am far from artistic, and applying mortar to the brick walls and sometimes a light india ink alcohol mix to the roof and sidewalks is the extent of my weathering skills; and frankly, that is enough for my taste. I simply like the effect of mortar - which takes an otherwise attractive yet very new plastic-looking building and gives it an element of toy-train "neatness."

@Paul Kallus posted:

Pat, that was how I got started in weathering brick mortar as well...and unless I can get in touch with the people who make and sell Robert's Brick Mortar, I will be going back to the old latex paint technique. At $13 to $15 for a 4 ounce bottle, the stuff ain't cheap. But, it use to go a long way and was much easier than the latex paint method.

I hear you loud and clear, but I’m not sure if we’re talking about the same latex paint....I use craft paint, from Hobby Lobby, or even find it at Wally World.....Hobby Lobby had the slate grey craft paint on sale for 3 bucks for a pint.......I’ve done 3 or 4 buildings with this jar, and I haven’t used hardly any so far.....I don’t paint on thick like mud out of the jar....I put a small amount in bowl, dilute with water, and a tiny drop of dawn.....brush on with a sponge, wipe off with paper towels.....easy peasy.....

Pat

@Paul Kallus posted:

All nice results, above.

I got in touch with the makers of the stuff and they said they're going to test the most recent batch, although I don't know what batch mine came from as it was sold by a distributing hobby shop (whom I haven't been able to get a hold of). And, unlike past bottles, there's no batch numbers on this recent bottle. Hopefully, I can get another bottle of the stuff directly from the supplier, and no middle man.

As I mentioned, I've been using this stuff for many years now...have probably done 25 buildings with it, some shown below. Last evening, I spent close to 2 hours trying to get two walls done, with pathetic results. If the batch had been like previous bottles, I would have gotten done 2 buildings in that amount of time.

I sometimes cannot comprehend the problems I encounter with products in this hobby - whether it be a new engine that doesn't work right, getting something repaired, or something simple like this. I suppose if I was retired and had time to devote to it then it'd would be another matter. As it is, I can barely get anything done on the layout or find time to run trains. Nevertheless, I am grateful that I am still working and have a job that enables me to be in this hobby.

Honestly, I really would have to forewarn anyone who wanted to get into the hobby to be prepared for loads of frustration and challenges. The amount of time it takes to get anything accomplished is the kicker...and as I get older it seems like everything, even simple jobs, takes longer.

I am far from artistic, and applying mortar to the brick walls and sometimes a light india ink alcohol mix to the roof and sidewalks is the extent of my weathering skills; and frankly, that is enough for my taste. I simply like the effect of mortar - which takes an otherwise attractive yet very new plastic-looking building and gives it an element of toy-train "neatness."

 

Hah ! As someone who got back into the hobby about five years ago, after about a 50 year absence, in order to build a small layout for my grandkids and then got bitten by the bug, I find myself constantly commiserating with my train friends about the fact that the percentage of train products one can purchase that don't require some form of modification, change, kitbashing, alteration, repair, transformation or re-working is rather miniscule. 

Although not retired, I'm glad I have the time and skills to be able to wade through these challenges and be able to enjoy the hobby for what it is, but I can certainly understand how anybody just getting into the hobby could easily become frustrated.      

I have tried a lot of different methods for mortar over the years and finally settled on joint compound. I wipe it on then wipe it off in one shot. After letting the compound cure I over spray with Dullcote to protect it when adding washes.

Paul: I have two unused jars of Robert's Brick Mortar - they are yours if you pay shipping from AZ.

Joe

Pat, I was referencing the price of the brick mortar stuff...not latex paint, which I also buy the cheap stuff at Michael's Craft store.

Richie, I have some challenges, but yet am working full-time like a young buck, and it seems as I grow old getting anything accomplished requires copious patience. I am glad to still be in the hobby. Some guys my age are playing video games, and that offers no interest whatsoever. My other hobby is getting out and riding my motorcycle...of which I hardly can do anymore.

Joe, thanks for your offer. I'll send you an e-mail. 

Paul

Joe, fyi, my e-mail to you was returned as "undeliverable"...I used the e-mail in your profile. I'll try sending one through your website contact.

Update: the makers of the brick mortar sent me a new jar, and it works like it should.

The hobby shop that I purchased the "funny" batch from never returned my phone message nor e-mail. Its odd: they had a state of the art website but lousy customer service. 

All's well that ends well.