What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I was working on a pink house and needed a fence post, so I hauled out my big box of messed up houses, and found this sweet little house. Base was good, roof Ok, tree nice, fences intact, just the body of the house was apart and very dirty. So I got out my glue, buttermilk paint, and beige coconut bought from Pete years ago. New door and windows purchased from Ted. New/old holly berry for the tree and there you have it. I have one question though, is there anyway to stabilize the coconut after you apply it so it doesn't keep shedding? Thanks...Colleen

it's so great to see another little house brought back to life...and a job well done, too...

i don't know much about keeping the coconut stabilized...hopefully another member or two will give be able to help...

the same goes for your question about the houses on ted's wwll site with the icicles...i don't know anything about them...

my very best regards...howard...

Nice work, you definitely brought that little fella back to life!

As far as coconut, mine sheds a tiny bit too, but not too bad and it almost stops after a few good shakings. I haven't tried anything to stabilize it as I'm worried about it becoming brittle and loose the softness, but that happened to a lot of these little houses anyways. I have a couple suggestions. You may want to do a test on a old piece of chipboard first.

The first would be aerosol hairspray, I have used it as a fixative numerous times on different things.

The second is something I've been watching a ton of youtube videos on. Im getting ready to make a small train layout, and one of the train experts here might be able to weigh in more. They have a product call scenic cement, and you can mix it down with water and put it in a mist bottle. It is applied before and after the grass/dirt/ballast flocking is laid down to lock it in to place. From all the videos I've seen it doesn't make ruin the look of the grass at all after applied and dries clear.

Let us know if you try something and how well it works. I've been a bit busy, but it I get a chance to do any tests I will report back.
-Brian

Thanks Howard and Brian for your comments and ideas. I'll take those as REAL compliments coming from 2 of the best! Just won another lot of houses last night, nice Hacienda with preacher, some beaded roofs, and some other oldies. All need some tweaking so it will keep me busy. Happy putzing!