DIRT ROAD

In this post I explain how I made my dirt roads from MDF:

* thickness:  3 mm,  

* length :9 inches (22.5 cm) - I intended to make them 12 inches (30.5 cm) long but thru a miss calculation I ended up with 9 inches. 

* width: 31/4" (8.5 cm)

  

Completed road section

The road accommodates 2 x small vehicles . 

Or 1 x large vehicle

First step is to cut out the desired road sections  straight ,curved,T and L sections, enough to cover a gaming table.
Next step is to apply a undercoat via spray can on the bottom of the roads.
Then use box cutters to chamfer the edges along the length of the MDF only.

To create 2 channel measure 1cm and 2 cm  from both edges using a pencil 

Using box cutters cut into the MDF at a angle and in a wavy line. keeping the  pencil line in the middle.

This should be the final result.

Now cut small pieces out of the edge of the channels to break up the neat wavy line.

use the point of the cutters to grind in sharp lines in the channel, 

Rough up the surface of the road using very coarse sand paper.

A file is used to enlarge the channels 

Use a small piece of very coarse sandpaper to smooth- en  the inner surface of the channels.

Line are created with the use of the file pointed tip on top of the road surface.

notches are created with the box cutters to try and simulate tank tracks embedding in the road surface.

PVA glue is applied to the varies places on the road and in the channels as desired and sprinkled with tiny pebbles.

Lately  small very thin layers of milliput is applied on the road surface.

Painted with thin coat of Vallejo Model colour Desert Yellow.

A wash in applied using Vallejo Model colour Chocolate Brown.

A Black wash is applied in the depths of the channels and certain areas as desired and highlighted with Vallejo Model colour Desert Yellow ( this can be lighten if desired by mixing in a bit of Iraqui sand colour.)

PVA is applied to the edges and small areas on the road and flock applied.

I  used only fine flock so that I can stack the roads on-top of each other when stored away.

Cheers John