Painting the Track

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hello Everyone

I hope that everyone is enjoying the wonderful weekend.

I am beginning to lay down some track for the yard in my layout. I was just over at the local hobby shop here in Ca. While i was there, the person at the counter stated that I should mask the top of the rails. I always thought and have ready that you can take a Walthers “Bright Boy” and rub off the paint. Is there anything that I should be aware of before painting the track? Should I cover the top surface of the rails first? And if so, with what?

A long time ago, when muscle cars were around. Some of them came with silver coated wheels, and they had to be re-painted now and again. One of the easiest ways to paint the wheels with the tires still on, was to cover the rubber close to the wheel lip with a thin coat of vasoline. Then when the paint was dry, simply wash the tire. Could you use a thin oil such as hair clipper oil on the top surface of the rail, paint it, and then wipe off the oil, leaving the top surface nice and shiny clean?

Thanks for your advice, tips and trick that I have been reading. I really love online videos on this site, they have been most helpful and very interesting.

Andrew

2

I just used scotch tape on the top and airbrushed the rails and ties.

3

I merely wipe the top of the rails with a rag (like an old t-shirt) immediately after painting before the paint has any time to set. I only bother to use tape to cover the points and the immediately adjacent running rail to prevent the paint from coating the side of the rails where they meet. I leave the paint on (or repaint by hand) the top of guard rails.

Mark

4

I just drag a razor blade down the rail heads after the paint dries. Comes right off. A little 600 grit sand paper for the tough spots. Be careful around your turnout point rails and make sure your feeders are all soldered in before painting. Paint can get down into unsoldered rail joiners and cause electrical problems.

5

Absolutely. It works for me. Just be careful to go very light on the oil - it will stain some ballasts darker. Also mask switch points. Wipe off with a lint free cloth (I use old socks from the rag pile in the garage.)

Karl