This procedure shows you how to use the minimum amount of our Premium Ground Cover Gray Ballast by using it as a "top coat" over less expensive Ballasts.  This method will produce the same results as if you used 100% of our real rock, and is exactly the method shown in "The Black Diamond Railway Part II" DVD.  Our goal is for you to achieve the best results at the least expense using our Premium Ground Cover Gray Ballast.

The method is most effective for deeper road beds like the one in our second video for the new double track expansion.  Most of that track was raised up about 1in above the platform requiring more ballast.  It is less effective for track which sits on cork road bed on flat surfaces like the track around the engine house.  There we used all real rock ballast. 

The artificial ballast that you use as a base under our top coat of real rock ballast should match as close as possible in color and size in case of missed coverage or it comes loose in the future.  In the video we used Woodland Scenics coarse gray ballast and spray painted it a darker shade of gray to get it to match.  This may be too much of a hassle for you.  There are some other alternatives that do not need painting.  In particular Scenic Express has a Dark Gray Coarse ballast that may be a good match in color.  Another option may be to use black ballast underneath.  If you top coat enough to completely cover the ballast underneath and glue it properly it will not matter, and the ballast underneath will act to fill the volume only.

Applying Premium Ground Cover Gray Ballast as a "top coat"

• Using the artificial ballast, apply using a shaker bottle and sprinkle the minimum amount of ballast over the ties in the middle and on the sides, just enough to cover any plywood or road bed under the track.  You need to leave enough room for the top coat which is one layer at the thickness of the rock. 
  

• Extend the ballast by about 1/2 on each side past the ties.  If your track is higher you may need to create a slope on each side that extends more than 1/2 on each side.
  

• Use a clean dry paint brush to brush in the loose ballast and form a straight edge on the sides.
  

• Using the same brush in a vertical position, pat down the ballast to pack and smooth it and make it flat.  This will push the ballast below the ties and help sweep off and ballast off the top of the ties.
  

• Once you have filled the volume for the undercoat of ballast you can start applying the "top coat" using the Premium Ground Cover Gray Ballast.  Use the shaker to uniformly  cover all the artificial ballast.  Apply it with the intention that it will be permanent and that you will not have to sweep or grade it afterwards.  This means sprinkle it in small amounts as  you move over the area.  Its better to repeat and go back over it lightly than to apply too much at once.   Apply just enough to you can not see any of the artificial ballast. 
  

• Use the brush to gently remove and ballast from the tops of the ties and tuck in any loose ballast on the sides.  If you push too hard you will mix the ballast and may expose the artificial ballast underneath.  If the color match is good, this will not be a problem and it should blend well.  However if the ballast is too light underneath, you will start seeing a "peppered" look which will degrade the apperance. 
  

• Use a small point object like a pencil or small screw driver, to clean the rails and tops of the ties of any loose ballast before glueing.
  

• Once the ballast looks good and is in place, then soak it using undiluted scenic cement.  If you dilute by half, it will be half as strong once the glue dries.  I worth using the extra glue to ensure the ballast remains in place for a long time to come.  My ballast has not come loose in over 5 years now! Soak everything including the track rails and ties.  Don't worry, the glue dries clear and you will not notice.
  

• After applying the glue, use a rag or paper towel, and wipe off the glue from the tops of the rails.  It is much easier if you do it when it is still wet but you can still rub off the glue after it dries. Be careful not to touch the ballast while you are wiping off the track. 
  

• After the glue dries and the ballast is hard it will have a darker "wet" look.  If you like this, you are finished.  If not, you can optionally use some "Fine Gray Mix" and lightly sprinkle a small amount over your dried ballast.  The dried glue on the ballast is sticky enough to hold the dust from the Fine Gray Mix and remove the sheen on the ballast.   Gently use the brush to spread the dusty Fine gray mix over the ballast.  Since the ballast is glued, it will not move.  When you are finished, you will have a duller, dryer look to your ballast, the same as the Black Diamond Railway.
  

Applying Premium Ground Cover Gray Ballast direcly to track"

If your road bed is not deep enough to be beneficial, or you decide you just want to use 100% Premium Ground Cover Ballast, use the following procedure.

• Using the shaker sprinkle the minimum amount of ballast over the ties in the middle and on the sides, just enough to cover any plywood or road bed under the track.  You can use a little more if necessary, but try to stay just below the tops of the ties. 
  

• Extend the ballast by about 1/2 on each side past the ties.  If your track is higher you may need to create a slope on each side that extends more than 1/2 on each side.
  

• Use a clean dry paint brush to brush in the loose ballast and form a straight edge on the sides.
  

• Using the same brush in a vertical position and pat down the ballast to pack and smooth it and make it flat.  This will push the ballast below the ties and help sweep off and ballast off the top of the ties.
  

• Use a small point object like a pencil or small screw driver, to clean the rails and tops of the ties of any loose ballast before glueing.
  

• Once the ballast looks good and is in place, then soak it using undiluted scenic cement.  If you dilute by half, it will be half as strong once the glue dries.  I worth using the extra glue to ensure the ballast remains in place for a long time to come.  My ballast has not come loose in over 5 years now! Soak everything including the track rails and ties.  Don't worry, the glue dries clear and you will not notice.
  

• After applying the glue, use a rag or paper towel, and wipe off the glue from the tops of the rails.  It is much easier if you do it when it is still wet but you can still rub off the glue after it dries. Be careful not to touch the ballast while you are wiping off the track. 
  

• After the glue dries and the ballast is hard it will have a darker "wet" look.  If you like this, you are finished.  If not, you can optionally use some "Fine Gray Mix" and lightly sprinkle a small amount over your dried ballast.  The dried glue on the ballast is sticky enough to hold the dust from the Fine Gray Mix and remove the sheen on the ballast.   Use the brush to spread the dusty Fine gray mix over the ballast.  Since the ballast is glued, it will not move.  When you are finished, you will have a duller, dryer look to your ballast, the same as the Black Diamond Railway.
  

Both DVDs, the "Black Diamond Railway" parts I and II show step by step how to apply ballast and ground cover and are the best way to learn how to apply these ground covers.  If a picture speaks a thousand words, a video must be a lot more!