Static grass
Static grass is used in model railroading and miniature wargaming to create realistic looking 'grass' textures. It consists of small threadlike particles charged with static electricity, making it stand up when glued to a surface.
Several companies produce static grass products, including WWS Scenery Manufacturer, Woodland Scenics and PECO. Static grass is usually used by applying a layer of glue on the surface, then pouring it on and tipping off the excess. It can also be applied with a shaker, also known as a puffer.
Static grass consists of man-made fibres selected for their ability to hold a charge of static electricity. They are usually a blend of coloured nylon, rayon or polyester fibres that are used to more realistically replicate grass on a modeller’s layout. The fibres are usually sold by weight in 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12 millimetre lengths, although fibres can be found from as little as 0.5mm in length. If using an electronic applicator the fibres are attracted to the adhesive vertically and ‘end-on’ giving the grass like effect the modeller requires. The basic sequence is as follows: • Apply the adhesive to the area you wish to grass • Ground the applicator to the adhesive area. • Load the container. • Apply the grass • Allow the adhesive to dry. • Remove excess fibres. It should be remembered that this is only a general technique and the manufacturer’s instructions should be read and adhered to at all times.
Once the basic technique is mastered, other more advanced techniques can be learned such as developing differing lengths, dead grass and creating grass tufts, all of which will lead to a more prototypical scene on the model.
See also
- Scatter (modeling), alternative that may be just dyed sawdust
External links
- Build you own static grass applicator from a fly swatter and a tea strainer
- Easy Static Grass application by Craig Stocks
- Static Grass Applicator & Static Grass specialists - DoubleO Scenics
- Static Grass Applicator - GrassTech USA