Making rubber roads

[gregh]

I’ve just finished laying some roadway using rubber camping mattress. My method is described in the Top Tips section, but for those who want some more detail, here it is. I’ve tried using concrete, but it needs to be at least 5cm thick to resist cracking. This method is much easier and looks better.
I start with a rubber camping mattress – you only need cheap ones - they are available from Bargain shops for a few dollars. Get a blue coloured one (or grey if they have them). They are about 50cm by 180 long and 6mm thick. This is then laid on a thin slurry of cement. When dry I spray paint with cheap grey paint and it’s very realistic. It forms realistic high/low points and even has a cracked surface appearance. You can walk on it, but I wouldn't recommend stilettos. I’ve had some down for 5 years now.

Unroll the mat and leave flat for a day or two. Then cut out your required roadway shape with scissors or a knife. Note that the grey road in the foreground is the existing that has been there for 5 years.

Scrape the underside of the mat with a coarse hacksaw blade to roughen it up

Then clear and level the dirt under the roadway and wet it well.

Then I throw dry sand:cement mixture onto the ground and wet it and roughly level it with a trowel.

(continued.......)

 

[gregh]

Wet the underside of the mat and the cement again till really wet and place the mat on it. There’s lots of ‘suction’ to hold it down.

Use your hands to squash it down. You can easily feel the high spots so it’s easy to get it reasonably level.

Wash it down and put a few bricks or whatever to hold it down. I use pieces of cardboard or similar to ‘spread the load’ as the sharp brick corners can cause indents.

And when it’s dry a coat of grey spray paint and it’s done

Now for a few more buildings and to see if I can get some plants to grow.

 

[dunnyrail]

What a great idea. Thanks for sharing that. Will need to go in my memory box for the next line I build. I already have a blue mat in stock!
JonD

 

[Bram]

What an absolutely splendid idea Greg and so simple, thanks for sharing it with us

 

[Martino]

What a good idea - that has potential for quite a number of little (and not so little) projects!

 

[gregh]

Will need to go in my memory box for the next line I build. I already have a blue mat in stock!
JonD

Your subconscious must have been working on something already 8|

 

[Mousey]

What a fantastic idea!