BUSCH "TEAR AND SHARE" GRASS MATS

These mats are easy to use and look so good!

Many of us remember those bright green grass mats but things have come a long way since then because grass mats are now available with multi levelled fibres, multicoloured grasses and earth effects. These mats are a great way to add realistic looking grass, weeds and tufts to your layout.

Busch make a large range of grass mats. The standard grass mats are sold in subtle colours and various sizes (10 x 80 cms to 250 x 100 cm). They also have wild grass mats with taller grass fibres plus 16 multi-leveled "tear and share" ground cover mats with seasonal colours and textures.

 

HOW TO USE THE "TEAR AND SHARE" GROUND COVER MATS

• Decide upon the area to be covered with the grass mat. The mats can be used as they come but it's simple and quick to break off pieces and stretch the mat slightly to create a more realistic appearance.

• Paint Busch adhesive (7599) with a wide paintbrush onto the area to be covered with the mat. Only treat an area of about 7 cm by 7 cms at a time so that the adhesive will stay damp as you work with the mat.

• Pull off the backing sheet from the section of the mat that you intend to use.

• The grass mat can then easily be pulled apart into random shapes between the fingers. The more random the pieces the more realistic it will look.

• Push the torn off sections of grass mat in a random fashion into the wet glue.

• If you have two mats of slightly difference colours it may be good to mix pieces of the mats to add colour variety to the area of scenery.

• Once you have planted sufficient grass pieces sprinkle sand or static grass fibres or scatter materials over any gaps between the pieces of mat while the glue is still wet.

• Leave the area to dry and vacuum off any excess materials.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS NEEDED

Busch adhesive (7599) to hold the mat securely

Busch scatters and modelling sand

A wide paintbrush.

INFORMATION BOX

Scale: mainly OO/HO but can be used in other scales to represent tall (in N scale) or short (O scale) grass

For more information: www.busch-model.com

Available from: Ontracks (www.ontracks.co.uk)  - stock numbers 1300 to 1315