Deck texture for a destroyer

[alexmd]

Hi all

 

First of all, sorry if this isn't the correct place for my matter.

 

I've researched in the stores looking for some texture to cover decks of modern destroyers. I had no success, though.

 

What I need is to reproduce the deck in the picture.  Notice that the deck isn't plain.

 

Any idea where I could find such as deck texture or how may I reproduce it ?

 

 

[mtaylor]

Decades ago, there was a rattle can of paint that had a texture.. a "crinkle" finish.  I'm not sure if they still make it or what colors would work.  A lot of the old hot rodders used it on valve covers and the like.   There might be other ways of achieving this... maybe lacquer over enamel?

[jbshan]

What scale?  If the scale is small enough dead flat black might be enough.

[BANYAN]

Hi Alex,

 

That deck treatment is a relatively new one (late 70's/early 80s (at least in the RAN - may have been a tad earlier in USN/RN) and is a specialised coating that not only serves as a metal deck preservative but also a non-slip surface for the deck.

 

Back in the early 70s the RAN was still using deck-tread (sandpaper strips/patches glued to a painted deck surface) but in the late 70s started using a new treatment which had sand mixed into it; this then developed into this treatment which in the RAN was called DEVRON (a brand name I think) - I don't know where it was initially developed or by which company.  It is applied direct onto a specially prepared deck, and if not abused will last several years.  It is a fairly thick coating and very hard on the knees/skin.

 

Some ships have this applied to cover the whole deck surface while other ships had it covering the majority of the deck but the last few inches near screens/bulkheads and the side were normal paint.

 

I am not well versed in paint application techniques for models, but I would think that applying a slightly thicker paint and then using a dry brush in a random pattern may provide that look?  That said, it would also depend on the scale as down at say 1:350 or so, the scale would not show this?  You might also have to research the ship and see if you can find photos that show the paint pattern (full coverage or with paint verges) for the ship in the period you are modelling?

 

I am quite interested in this as I am building a 1:350 of HMAS Vampire circa 1973/76 and this is the period this paint started appearing.  In Vampire at this time, the main deck was DEVRON (with verges) while the superstructure decks were still painted and used deck tread.  She did not get fullly covered DEVRON decks until the very late 70s.

 

I hope this helps? 

 

cheers

 

Pat

[Chuck Seiler]

We, in the Colonial navy, called it non-skid.  I have used fine sand paper to simulate it.

[PamW]

I agree with Chuck..... fine grit wet or dry.

[jud]

We used non skid patches and some small areas of a sand-paint mix, non-skid, in the travel routes topside and below. This stuff is different, looks like a type of very tough pickup bed coating that became available in the 70's, it required special preparation and was sprayed on. Mark mentioned the crinkle paint, if still available probably your best bet. Maybe a dish or jar lid filled with the desired color paint left out to thicken up might work.  When thickened well try applying it off of the model and learn how to apply it to get the results you want, try dabbing, trickling or dripping on or maybe in layers with the last coat a thicker mix trickled from a wide brush.

jud.

 

Here is some Deck Gray like the Navy I was in used on all weather decks. The Flight Deck is a Non-Skid Haze Gray, Non-skid because of the grit, 'sandy material', that was in it. Have seen it come directly out of a can and also have seen sand sprinkled on wet paint to make it non-skid. Never did see any of that thick crinkly stuff shown in the above photo except for some similar appearing material sprayed onto pickup beds for protection and not in the same pattern for a very long time. That material looks like it might be a heat resistant material because of it's location on the ship, don't know. I do know it would be a problem to sweep and swab. probably only a scrub brush and a pressure hose could clean it well. Needle guns have been used for years as a method of removing paint and rust, the ones I have used were air powered, only available during yard periods and powered from shore compressors.

 

Edited November 8, 2016 by jud

[Canute]

What scale will your ship be built, Alex. At scales above 1/72 or so, the texture will most likely not be really obvious. I've used a fine (220 grit) sand paper to simulate a gravel roof in HO scale (1/87).

 

Use a charcoal gray instead of black. Flat black is too black. A color many plastic ship modellers use is Gunship gray. Testor/Model Master sells it and you can find a Vallejo equivalent, too.

[popeye2sea]

That picture shows standard USN non-skid and the color is called deck grey (highly original, I know).  It is really just deck grey paint with a texture material added.  We put on with a thick nap paint roller.

 

The color on the sides (vertical surfaces) is called haze grey.

 

You can probably look up the mil-spec numbers and match the colors exactly.

 

Regards,

 

 

P.S. It is horrible stuff to get off the deck.  You had to use a needle gun.

Edited November 8, 2016 by popeye2sea

[jud]

Deck gray, non-skid haze gray, white and olive drab, all on deck, see photo I just added to my  #7 post..

jud

[alexmd]

Hi all

 

First of all my sincerely apologies. Mostly for not answering before.  Moreover, I apologize for not informing more details.  I'm doing the USS Spruance, a Arleigh Burke class destroyer, Flight IIA, 1:350.

 

I know that the scale seems too small to reproduce exactly the deck but I think that it's possible to reproduce something similar to the texture, just to get different from a plain deck.

 

I've appreciated all the tips.  Now, I will study the possibilities very carefully.  Course, any tip else is welcome.

 

Tks !

[brunelrussell]

Vallego model paints makes textured coatings for dioramas and such.