If you build brick, stone or brick models for your railway the finish is all important. Normal paint is okay but texture paint gives an infinitely better result. But what about that cost!
Textured paints produce a much better look than usual paints for brick and stonework, adding dimensionality, depth and ultimately realism to your models. (If you’re confused by the different types of paint watch this introduction to the different sorts).
The downside is that texture paints aren’t cheap.
A quick look along the shelves of my preferred model shop reveals a hike of £2 to £4 per bottle over none-textured paints. On even a moderate size layout this will mount up quickly.
And, as I’ve said before, model railways aren’t cheap and if I can do something myself and save money that would better be spent on trains then I’m going to find a way.
In the past I’ve tried making textured paint — how hard can it be right? — but I’ve always struggled to get a good result. Just adding a powder to paints just produced a gloopy mess.
So this video on making your own textured paint is right up my street and hopefully yours.
> A final, personal, note: I spend a huge amount of time testing, photographing, writing and researching techniques for these articles and pay for all the running costs of MRE out of my own pocket. If you found this article useful you can support me by making a donation on my fund-raising page. Thanks and happy modelling, Andy.
Andy is a lifelong modeler, writer, and founder of modelrailwayengineer.com. He has been building model railways, dioramas, and miniatures for over 20 years. His passion for model making and railways began when he was a child, building his first layout at the age of seven.
Andy’s particular passion is making scenery and structures in 4mm scale, which he sells commercially. He is particularly interested in modelling the railways of South West England during the late Victorian/early Edwardian era, although he also enjoys making sci-fi and fantasy figures and dioramas. His website has won several awards, and he is a member of MERG (Model Railway Electronics Group) and the 009 Society.
When not making models, Andy lives in Surrey with his wife and teenage son. Other interests include history, science fiction, photography, and programming. Read more about Andy.