blackening wheels on a BLI steamer

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’ve just purchased a refurb BLI J1e and in all of the pictures I’ve seen of it, the pilot wheels do not match the drive wheels, they are much too bright.

I saw a reference on the BLI forum about this as apparently he was having the same problem as I, about a product called Neolube that’s on Micro-Marks web site. It looks like it may do the job, but I was hoping to round up some other ways to match up the pilot and drive wheels so they look close to the same color.

I’m not looking to fully weather my locos yet, I was just looking for the quickest way to make those hideously shiny metal wheels match the drivers.

Thanks

2

I don’t know what the “hideously shiny metal wheels” look like but I can speak to Neolube. It is a great product that changes the shininess of the wheels to make them duller.

3

I have used just flat black paint on the sides of the wheels. Have done several engines this way and had no problems. Just don’t get it on the treads.

Bob

4

Flat black crafts paint will work just fine also don’t forget to touch up the shiny axel ends on the drivers. also,you might even wish to paint the inside of the bell as shown here …nice little touch.