1. Faller B-414

Both buildings described here originally came from the Faller kit B-414. Both models were already assembled before, unfortunately, however, not particularly carefully, with a lot of ugly adhesive spots. Therefore, I decided to rework also these houses basically to be able to use them again on the layout eventually. Besides, from the start I planned to modify the houses opposite the original condition also something and to get therefore unique pieces.

I decided to start with the corner house. Moreover, this model already was partialy disassembled. Nevertheless, a new vitrification became necessary due to ugly adhesive spots on the old window panes. At some windows the bars were removed to model windows with only one large window pane, like they have been in use since the 1950ies. Since then, these type of windows often replaced the original lattice windows, when old windows were replaced by new ones. Now certainly one or other will ask himself if this situation ist prototypical, but it is. There are many old buildings equiped with several types of windows. Often, only a few windows were in bad shape and needed to be replaced, while the others were still in good condition. So why replacing all windows of a building in such a case?

The front facade was fitted with a balcony oin the second floor. However, in addition, the window opening of the previous middle window had to be widened for a door. Additionally for this work, one should remove the wall section from the building what can also cause problems, if the wall parts are stuck together strongly with lots of adhessive. Then, there is danger of causing more severe damages, so it's extremly important to work cautiously.

The wheathering of the roof already existed before. It had been done with black color. The color is applied thinly on a spot and afterwards is being spread with a moist piece of paper towels or toilet paper. Originally the house had shutters, they were removed before the walls were painted greeen. However, one thing was still missing - the lettering; one of the two stores in the ground floor became a sports outfitters, the other one a fashion store. Besides, the front facade got a lettering "Sport Haus" (sports house), above the door in the side wall a lettering "MODE" (fashion) was attached. The original paper sunblind was replace by a new one of textile. 
 

I think, the result is worth seeing.

With the second house the works turned out to be less extensive. They mainly included a new vitrification and a complete new paint. But some interesting details were added either. Now the shop in the ground floor is a delicacy shop. There is a mailbox near the shop window now. The main entrance door got a canopy, and it should not go unmentioned that also at this house has lost all its shutters.

2. Half-Timbered House With Toys Shop

This house originally was the model 938 from Faller. Because the building was not in the best condition, I decided to subject it to a basical renovation. Besides, some conversions were done. So, the house had a slate front on the back side with no windows in the first floor. The slate front was removed, while the upper part of the wall was sanded down. The wall part in the first floor was replaced with a new one made of cardboard, which was provided with two windowcases.

The new back wall was painted with white Plaka-colours then. Other parts of the house were only newly painted. The ground floor got a yellow painting, the originally brown roof became red. The PLAKA-colours are excellently suitable on plastic, a special treatment is not necessary. Another optical advantage is the fact that these colors become matt after drying.