Dos Manos - Building #4

[marc_reusser]

Looks good Ray. Very cleanly built. 

I had almost  that wallpaper...but very dingy and gritty/dirty looking as the desktop paper on my monitors 

Marc

[Ray Dunakin]

Here's another brief update...

I finally fixed the gaps in the stone walls. I mixed a small quantity of mortar, added some "charcoal" pigment to darken it a little, and smeared onto the walls of the building by hand. When I was sure it had been pressed into all the gaps, I carefully rinsed off the excess while lightly rubbing it with my hand. In some areas I also used a soft paintbrush.

After the mortar had set, I scrubbed the walls with stiff brush under running water, to remove some of the residue. It still needs a little touch up here and there, but I think it looks a lot better now:




   
   
   

[Chuck Doan]

Looks like the morter didnt effect the stones at all. Glad you found a solution!

[finescalerr]

A considerable improvement. It looks good. -- Russ

[Ray Dunakin]

Here's the latest update...

I started working on the furnishings for the storefront interior. I built some cabinets with shelves out of styrene. These were "distressed" to look like they've been around a long time and have never been refinished. The design and "weathering" were inspired by photos from the J. A. Merriam Drug store in Colorado, which I got from a "No Frills" photo CD on ebay.

Using regular spray paints, I sprayed them with gray primer, then a mist of red-brown primer, and a little bit of light brown. Then I brushed on a reddish-brown mix of Apple Barrel flat acrylics. I used a dark brown mix for the trim. After this had dried, I brushed on a thin wash of artist's gloss medium, which really gives it a nice varnished look. When that had dried, I chipped and scraped away small bits of the surface paint. Then I went over it with a Scotch-Brite pad.

I still have to make the merchandise to fill the shelves. I also have to make some other furnishings, "weather" the interior, add signs and displays, and lights. The false doorway at the rear will have a curtain draped across it.

Here's a shot of the interior with the cabinets temporarily placed in position:




   
   

[finescalerr]

It would be very difficult to tell, from the photos alone, that the scale is smaller than 1:1. Very nice work. -- Russ

[RoughboyModelworks]

Nicely done Ray... I'm curious to see what you're going to be using to "stock" the shelves.

Paul

[lab-dad]

I am curious to see the "process" of making the items for the shelves.......
Seems like a GIANT PITA!
shelves look great though!
-Marty

[Ken Hamilton]

Ray, those shelves to indeed look real.  The finish is perfect.
Great job.
I'm anxious to see how you stock the shelves, too.

[Geoff Ringle]

Ray,
This will be a wonderful addition to your town.... looks great.  I am also wondering what will be sold in this shop?
Geoff

[marc_reusser]

Ray,

I can only echo everyone elses sentiments.

Marc

[Frederic Testard]

A really nice room, Ray. The furniture finish is excellent.

[Ray Dunakin]

I just finished a wood framed, glass display case for the drug store interior:   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
The frame was made of styrene. The glass is polycarbonate, and was installed after the frame was painted. I used artist's gloss medium to glue the polycarbonate into the frame. The middle shelf was put in last.

The cabinet was "distressed" to look old and a bit worn. The weathering looks harsher in the photos than in real life. I may try to tone it down later.

I have a couple photos of the cabinet under construction, beginning here:

http://www.raydunakin.com/Site/IRR_Dos_Manos.html#96

I'm still working on the merchandise to stock the shelves.

[Ray Dunakin]

Lately I've been busy making merchandise to stock the shelves of the drug store. I've made about 150 bottles so far. These were turned by hand using a power drill as a crude lathe. I use a Dremel with a cutting disk to shape them as they turn, then smooth them with steel wool and finally polish them with a bit of toothpaste on a rag. Some of the bottles are then painted with transparent colors. Then they're labeled using decals I printed out, from scaled down photos of vintage medicine labels. After decalling, the bottles are sprayed with glossy Krylon clear. Here's a few of the bottles. 
   
   
   
   
   

I'm also making small boxes for the shelves. These a cut from various sizes of styrene rod. Most are glued together, then painted. Labels are printed out on self-adhesive vinyl.

Here's a test shot of the shelves in place, with some of the bottles and boxes installed. I still have many more to go, plus lots of other little details:

   
   

[jacq01]

  Ray,

  WOW.   you are outdoing yourselve.

  Jacq