Use our modular Brick Wall Panel kits - article by Dave Ross
Our layouts invariably develop a few locations that may require an odd shape building or two to complete the scene. The photo illustrates one solution to the condition using ITLA's Brick Wall Panel kits. This particular building is made up of 8 wall panels, 1 x 1.5", 1 x 4.5" and 6 x 3”widths. The following are the steps used to complete this structure.
Measure the area under consideration to determine an initial wall size requirement for the structure. Look over the sizes and match this against the choice of parts in our sites’ Brick Wall Panel section. Adjust the needs to the closest panel sizing available and order. Please note the walls should be built up of parts to construct straight wall runs. Four corners, to a maximum of five, will provide the best finished look. Try to avoid working in too many small sections, with lots of angle changes as the final result will not look realistic. Our regular ITLA building kits may also be used in some design situations.
Do an initial fit of the walls in the chosen location using painters tape to secure the structure during this positioning phase. At this point you are testing for size, clearances, and wall panel sequence. You are also confirming the overall look and making the necessary angle adjustments on the corners to fit the area. In our case a 1.5” panel was at one end, a 4.5” at the opposite end with the sides made up of three 3”sections each. Try to keep one corner at 90 degrees, or close to it, with the following angled corners adjusted accordingly to fit your plan. Try not to make these angles too small or sharp.
Once satisfied with the fit mark the outline of the structure on your layout surface area in pencil and begin assembly. Begin with painting and weathering, add signs and other main details. Check the ITLA site under the Paint heading for suggestions on painting and weathering phases. Glue the walls together in sections, using white wood glue, and allow to dry, usually overnight. The corner angles are checked against the previously marked layout surface area pencil marks to ensure a good consistent fit. Install blocking to support the roof that you are going to create using MDF, Foamcore or good old plain corrugated carton material. Once the roof is glued in place the interior corners might be strengthened using 3/8 or ¼” dowels, white glued in place if you think this extra support is necessary. Pilasters (included in the modular kits) are now applied over the corner joints. Note these will have to protrude a little past the MDF walls in order to make a clean corner. Be liberal with the glue, making sure the back of the pilasters are well coated. A small gap will have appeared between the pilasters and the MDF walls on these upper corners. Fill the gaps using a wood filler, drywall patch or a flour and water mix as a last resort.
At this point complete the roof and wall details along with the final touch ups on painting and weathering. Details used on this kit are from ITLA's HVAC, Roof Top and Wall Detail Kits. Also some scrap pieces from the sprues complete this building.
David V. Ross
July 2020