What I do

I've been using sanded tile grout.  It can be painted and/or otherwise weathered to match any effect you may want.

As shown here it can be worked around sidewalks or whatever other materials you have around the pavement surface.  Markings can be added with paint, colored pencils, decals, etc.

Do a search on MRH site for EVA foam

There is some great info in the MRH archives. Last year I was using drywall ready-mixed joint compound. This year I have been trying EVA foam and so far, very happy with the results. It is easy to cut, relatively cheap, takes paint well and you can scribe in expansion joints and cracks very easily. I have been using a clutch pencil, for that. Does great sidewalks too. For striping I use paint pens such as Craftsmart brand from art supply shops (here in Australia, Officeworks have them, in the US, try Michaels or Hobby Lobby).

When you do your search, check out the examples of Luke Towan, Kathy Millatt and Rick Sutton. As well as the above Rob Spangler, their roads are the greatest! Both Kathy and Luke have an excellent videos on YouTube which I've watched a couple of times.

Cereal Box

Hi Michael,

I've been using cereal box cardboard.  It's easy to get, has a textured surface, cuts easily and takes glue well.

It's already grey, so doesn't need to be primed.

EVA foam

Foamcore, Cereal box, et al

Dear MRHers,

I've used both Cereal Box card ("Brooklyn : 3AM", Weet-Bix FTW)

and Foamcore ("Toorong")

but I am very interested in trying the EVA foam technique on the next project which calls for an appropriate roadway surface, assuming I can find any of the (insert extreme frustration noises HERE) relevant/appropriate/correct EVA foam down here in Aust....

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Another option

So there are quite a few options, but I remembered a guy using craft foam or fun foam, much more flexible than EVA foam I believe. I guess EVA foam is the same as craft foam from other searching.

In this blog https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/realistic-blacktop-roads-12203396 there is a link that is worth following:  http://www.telusplanet.net/public/crowley/ashphalt_roads.htm

When you use the MRH search be sure to try: asphalt, black-top, tarmac, or concrete.

Foam types?

So I thought the flexible stuff was not EVA foam, but it sure looks like it is.

I did see in this thread https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/modeling-asphalt-roads-12196425 they used the foam in a foam core board. They used some cleaner to soak the paper and remove it from the foam core. I would think that foam is stiffer than the EVA craft foam others are using.

Prof, the EVA foam is available on ebay, or maybe this is not the type you are looking for.

https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=eva+foam&_sacat=0

EVA foam sheets

First, a personal note:

Prof.  That Fantasonics coach is just too cool!

Back to the regularly scheduled program.

I use 2mm black foam sheets from US eBay seller Wandy-foam

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-of-8-pcs-2mm-12-x-18-craft-foam-sheets-28-colors-to-choose-from/112191759476?hash=item1a1f266474:g:YbkAAOSwKOJYGgQo&var=412366519114#shpCntId

A search of Australian eBay shows this listing that looks to be the same product. I have not used this seller but from the description it appears to be similar to what I order from my supplier.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/EVA-Foam-Sheets-35x50cm-35x100cm-Kids-Handmade-DIY-Craft-Cosplay-Model-1-10mm/313138041766?hash=item48e87b53a6:g:qDUAAOSw2E5bejwB

 "they used the foam in a

I have foam core from the dollar store and the paper will peel off of it without soaking. I haven't tried it for roads yet but I don't see why it wouldn't work.....DaveB

Kraft Foam

I have used the Kraft foam from Micheals or other such places on portable modules. It works great, flexible so it doesn’t get damaged, easy to work with and easy to add potholes cracks. Painted it with a sponge using a number of layers of different colours, then added cracks with a pencil, repaired spots by masking an area and painting it darker. Same for the lines down the middle, masked it off then sponge painted white lines. A bit of paint came off with the masking and that looks just like a worn spot.

Hey Prof, source for EVA

I had trouble getting EVA Downunder as well. I tried my local art supplies (Levers in Wollongong) and no luck. Best source finally was eBay. Try 2mm first and see how you like it. I just ordered another sheet and ended up from a Hong Kong eBayer, a fraction of the price the Aussie suppliers want. Now all we have to do is wait for the ship to get here(slow boat from China)! Fortunately, I still have a a couple of sheets under the work bench before my stock runs out. Also, unrelated is Rust-Oleum spray paint in Camo colours. Bunnings don't stock it, nor do they want to even bother ordering it for you. But, my local hardware shop (Hardware Man at Unanderra) was happy to order it for me. If the Australian distributor has it in stock (you have to check their website) and they have a delivery scheduled, the Hardware Man gets it in within the week.

Good luck!

Rustoleum Camo Paint at Supercheap

Lyndon, Prof.

SuperCheap Auto also stock Rustoleum Camo paint. Different stores will stock different colours so check on the website first. Luckily, there are enough stores that there should be one within striking distance that has the colour you want. Last time I bought some it was about $22 a can.

Thanks Ron

Good tip, there are a 3 SuperCheap Auto stores in my area. Though it is dearer than my local hardware store charges (around $16.60).

Im gonna have to give this a

Im gonna have to give this a try for the asphalt road on my layout!

Good for sidewalks too

Only this last week, I've been using EVA foam for sidewalks. Here are my first attempts and still need to weather both roads and sidewalks:

I started with EVA white, cut it to the right size, scored it with the clutch pencil (2H) and sprayed it with light grey, then painted the kerb corners red. Then followed up with a fine over spray of a couple of darker shades of grey (but, definitely not "50 shades" !!)

Craft foam

I’ve been working the last few weeks on a craft foam road. I still need to weather some more and stripe, but so far I’m happy with how it looks. It has a nice texture and is easy to cut cracks and potholes into it.

Its also super easy to cut grade crossing into. I overplayed the track with the foam sheet and smoothed my fingers along the track until I could roll a set of trucks over the foam eventually cutting through it, leaving perfectly butted sides and insert. My freight cars were wandering off of the track, so I fit a guard rail to the inside of the track. I may fit a second guard rail if this arrangement gives me trouble with electrical contact, but testing with cars this arrangement seems to do just fine.

Sintra

I tried Sintra after seeing a video recently. It’s rigid and yet still easy to emboss with details. I distressed the Sintra with a card file, wire brush, touch rocks, and a ball point embossed. I painted it Testora Flat Aircraft Light Tan and added a couple of Vallejo washes. I’m using it for the decking on a highway overpass.

Greg

Sounds great. Please post photos

I have made them with drywall etc and it is time consuming and messy. Do you add a crown to the road?  How?

What’s teh advantage of eva foam—-

Over and option of painted cereal box?

BTW — using your posts to work with affinity.  You should be on Trainmasters TV.

photos?

Jim, who are you asking to post photos?

The original post is asking for material suggestions, people who have responded did post photos on the first and second page of this thread.

So you might want to ask a specific person for photos, unlike facebook when you hit reply your reply comment gets tacked on to the end of the thread and not onto the comment you may have just read and hit reply.

As for crowning a road, the question I have is what scale are you working in? Typical crown of a paved road is only 2-1/2 inches from center line to shoulder. Even in O scale that is only .05 or 3/50ths! of an inch.