A complete guide to the many ways that you can use and apply static grass to your layout.
Commercially supplied static grass consists of fibers selected for their ability to hold a static electric charge. But there are noticeable differences in how realistic each brand of grass looks. Our recommendation is that if you are going to take the time to use static grass, use the best for the best results.
Homemade static grass is often made of human hair or rabbit fur cut and dyed to appropriate lengths and colors.
Static grass is usually used by applying a layer of glue on the surface on which the grass will be applied, sprinkling it on the glue and then causing it to stand up under the influence of a static field.
Let us start by targeting particular subjects.
Importance Of A Plan
Take the time to make a landscape plan. If nothing else it helps you gather the materials that you will need to finish your scene. The sketch at the left was used to gather the trees, street lamps, bushes, grass tufts and the trackside guardhouse and gate materials.
Everything but the grass items were temporarily put in place and the grass placement areas were marked out. Very similar to what a landscaper does.
Being comfortable with how it looked, the grass landscaping started.
Research
Let’s take a step back and look at what untended grass looks like.
And do that with the season in mind. Most people landscape to a season. John and Jenny de Frayssinet’s , who created one of the most fantastic layouts of all time landscaped to a date. On the chosen date they took a whirlwind picture taking tour and recorded colors, sizes, flowers and everything else one can imagine.
The materials at that link are truly inspiring.
That being said, collect pictures of whatever you want to model. Take pictures or gather them from the web.
Static Grass To Use
Remember to get grass that is scaled to what you are making.
For example, in HO scale if you are modeling a lawn, 1 mm is probably appropriate.
But most scenes depict something more interesting.
So you will need some long grass (which is generally not electrostatic), and a section of sizes up to at least 6mm and sometimes 8 mm and 12mm.
Be sure to get browns and beige. There is always dead grass over which the new growth lies. And often around edges you see dead or dried grass. It can add a lot.
A high quality commercially made grass will save you time and will definitely look better than homemade stuff.
If you are going to do it, do it right. Make it look good. And make it look good especially for YOU!
Static Grass Applicator To Use
There are static grass applicators and there are static grass applicators.
We recommend on that uses a strainer to disperse the grass. And we recommend a powerful one.
Don’t waste your time with a fugitive from a flyswatter. Get or make a good static grass applicator.
This link takes you to a full discussion. Benefits of the StaticGrassKing.
Flock Box
At times a flock box can really be convenient.
It is great for making tufts, weeds, flowers, trees, and adding branches to trees.
You can see those applications in some of the videos below.
This one is powered by the static grass applicator described above.
Other Materials To Use
This is good basic information. Once you see what you need you won’t have to look at this information again.
Making Static Grass Tufts With The StaticGrassKing
When making tufts, you need a silicone baking paper or other paper to which white glue will not stick. With that available, add some glue in patches and cover with grass.
Let them dry and peel them off the paper.
Do note, however, you might find it better to add the tufts in place before you do your final grass work. You will see that done in videos below.
Static Grass Tufts
This is my favorite way to make tufts when I don’t make tufts directly on the scene. If you want to make static grass tufts, consider this video a must watch.
Static Grass Flowers
Flowers add those finishing touches to your scene. This is one way to make them. There are others. And we will show some as we build this page out. But start here.
Static Grass Trees
These have their place. You can do quite a bit more with these than you can bottle brush trees.
Adding Static Grass By Hand
There are two things to note in this video.
Of course you see how you can control grass addition to ditches, streams and other tight places by using your fingers.
But also noteworthy, note how the weed beds were added to later be surrounded by other grass.
We continually update our information. It is best to follow our latest updates on our video playlist that you can visit by clicking on this link. How To Make Trees
To Get A Kit To Make Y0ur Own Powerful Static Grass Applicator, Click Here
And if you only want the a powerful anion generator, with an instruction book, especially designed to make your own style static grass applicator, click here.
You can get static grass here.