Am using Walthers Shinohara Code 83 track system. DCC. Want to weather all track and switches first. If I use ME’s rail weathering system, will the tops of the rail conduct electricity? Want to solder all rail joints and solder feeder wires every other peice of track. Will solder work through the ME?
Want to weather the steam engines shiny silver wheels and side rods as well as metal wheel sets on rolling stock. Does this hurt conductivity? My Broadway steam engines are beautiful, but the side rods and wheels need that weathered look. Spray painting in and around engine wheels makes me nervous.
Thanks for reading. Bob
Good luck. Unless you completely degrease the rails, and remove the rails from the plastic ties, you won’t get good coverage, the rails in the flextrack will move to expose unblackened spots, and you’ll end up with a blotchy, completely unrealistic finish. Most people who care enough to weather their track use paint to ensure a quality end result.
Yes.
Yes, but you won’t gt a truly permanent joint. It’s best to use a wire brush on the spot you want to solder to, to remove the blackening agent.
No. But…as above, the end result will look horrible. Chemical blackening agents do not equal dark and weathered (usually, they mean bluish and shiny). It’s usually best and fastest to spray paint the drivers, and brush paint the wheelsets.
Spray weathering steam drivers is simple:
- Place the engine on a test track. Make sure there’s a sturdy block in front of the engine, to keep it from going anyplace.
- Add power to the track, to slowly move the wheels. You want no more than 1/2 to 1 revolution per second.
- Using thinned paint and low pressure, add light, even coats of spray paint to the drivers and valve gear. Try not to get too
Ray, Thanks for taking the time to respond. I appreciate it.
Bob