Making Roads

Aug 31, 2010

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Making Roads is an easy guide to follow. Roads are possibly one of the most important features on a wargames table they allow for rapid troop movements, and are strategically important. Troops in column move at a greatly increased speed along a road. Roads were the primary means of approach to the battlefield. When the battle had begun reinforcements would join the engagement via the road.

Roads can be easily made with the following materials hardboard or MDF using various fillers, brown acrylic mastic. And of course it’s not only roads that can be made with these materials, Making Rivers, canals, ponds, stagnant swamps.

Making Roads with Hardboard & Polycell Fillers

1. Start by cutting your hardboard to the size you require. In my particular case I cut the hardboard into 12 inch lengths by 2 1/2 inches.

2. I then applied Polycell Filler before the filler had dried I used an ordinary fork to make lines in the road to simulate tyre tracks etc.

3. Once the Polycell Filler had completely dried I then proceeded to paint it with Humbrol No. 110 Natural Wood once that had dried I then dry brushed all the roads with Humbrol No. 103 Cream.

4. I then varnished all the roads with Ronseal Diamond Hard Varnish, matt clear.

5. I then put PVA glue onto the edges of the roads and then flocked them with Noch Summer Meadow Grass.

Making Roads with Brown Acrylic Mastic

1. First of all you need some backing material I used an old bedsheet cut into 12 inch lengths by 2 1/2 inches.

2. Secondly you need brown acrylic mastic which can be bought from any DIY store, B&Q, Homebase, etc that you have to be really careful here and make sure you get the right one it must say paintable.

3. You are now ready to apply your mastic to your backing, put a thin layer on your backing and carefully smoothed it out.

4. Allow the mastic to settle down for half an hour or so before you attempt to add any details I used an ordinary kitchen fork.

5. Once the mastic has fully dried I then paint it all with Humbrol No. 110 Natural Wood. I then dry brushed the riverbank with Humbrol No. 103 Cream.

9. The next step is to add Noch Summer Meadow Grass.