How do you do carpet?

[Sulla]

I am beginning my scratch built Defiant bridge (DS9) and was wondering what the best way to do the carpet?

I have a few ideas but would like the opinion of those who know better, which must be a lot of you as I've not built anything like this before.

 

[clonesix]

adhesive backed squares

 

[swgeek]

I don't know what scale your building in but you could try doll house supply or maybe, experiment with different kinds of flocking

 

[Sulla]

I thought about flocking, but not sure if it'll work for my model. Here's a set shot of what I am going to try to scale scratch build:

 

[division 6]

What about sand paper.

 

[propologist]

scrapbook paper comes in all kinds of textures and colors

 

[TazMan2000]

I'm working on the assumption that you are doing a scale model and not a lifesize replica.

Carpet store websites, or texture sites for 3D models....tons online.
Print them on a inkjet printer on regular bond. Laser will make the "carpet" shiny due to the fusing process.

You can use photoshop or a similar program to get the different carpet edgings created so you will have a seamless look.

TazMan2000

 

[Prefect42]

Like Division 6 suggested, I've used sand paper. Painted right over it with acrylic paint to get my color.

I've also used Elmer's glue and model railroad "grass". The ground up stuff that comes in small bags. Sorry but I cannot think of the proper name. Spread some glue, sprinkle the "grass", dump off the excess and paint. Makes a more plush carpet than the sandpaper.

Ted.

 

[Sulla]

Thanks all. For some of my size testing I've been drawing up the floor plan with carpet colors in Illustrator and printing on regular paper (see link below). I like the idea of sandpaper, scrap booking paper,and maybe even textured the carpet look and printing it anyhow, great advice, thanks again.

I have a high quality ink jet, no laser jet. And while it will be scale, I have not decided on what scale, as I'd also like to do the engine room, crew quarters, sick bay, and crew mess with some hallways for each and still have room in my house to display it! Maybe just recreate the stage 18 sets in entirety...

Been working on this for more than a year now: http://www.therpf.com/f9/working-some-lcars-my-defiant-bridge-60977/
And a size test foam board mock-up: http://www.therpf.com/f11/defiant-bridge-scratch-build-foam-board-mock-up-62567/

 

[Jedi Dade]

sandpaper works very well. In various grits you can get different textures. It also has the virtue of being pretty cheap... painted up it looks great.

Jedi Dade

 

[Johnny Fever]

Depending on the scale a spray on truck bed coating may work to simulate carpeting. It can be sprayed on and built up in a series of mist coats. The texture can be varied to an extent by spraying at different distances.

-John

 

[falcondesigns]

wet paint and flocking.....

 

[Gigatron]

Personally, I'd go with a nice, heavyweight paper. Kind of like the good stuff you would print a resume on, rather than regular white printer paper.

The fancy stuff has enough texture to it to make it look like carpeting, without making it look like DS9 was built in 1973.

-Fred

 

[Krachenvogel]

I remember working with this velour paper in grade school art class, which was basically paper with flock pre-stuck to it. And I know there are a few different flocking products aimes at automobile modelers that would probably do the trick, at least for solid colors.

 

[Pilot]

Back in the Olde Dayes when I used to build car models, I'd brush clear lacquer on the seats and floor to "craze" the plastic and create a fabric-like texture to paint over. That was more than 20 years ago, and I don't know if different chemical formulas these days may affect the...er...effect, but it might be worth a shot on a piece of scrap plastic to see what happens.

Honestly though, the sandpaper thing is probably way easier to deal with :lol