Wheel Blackening

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi, All,

Well, I’m just about to repaint one of my Spectrum GE 70 tonners and just came to realize I don’t have a clue as to how to blacken the wheels. Paint seems to bead up and probably wouldn’t adhere that well. Is there a technique for blackening or just painting metal wheels?

Many Thanks,
smyers

2

I assume you are using water based paint and it is beading from probably oil on the wheels. Clean them with paint thinner on a Qtip and try again, Use rail brown or Brunswick green for greasy wheels.

3

There was a metal blackening product in the last Micromark catalog. If I recall correctly it is conductive as well.

4

Thanks, guys, it’s much appreciated.
Best,
smyers

5

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=60864

Here it is…

6

Would NEO_LUBE work? Can it be airbrushed on without harm to the airbrush? Micro-Mark sells it for a little over $13 [I think]

7

i do not recommend blacken it.
i think it is similar to ME’s weathering sol’n (selenium dioxide).
it is highly oxidative.
as such, removing the sol’n afterwards is messy.
and if any is left on, it will continue to “eat away” at the metal.

neo-lube is a graphite based lubricant that is also conductive.
i’ve seen it used to “blacken” siderods and wheels and looks pretty good.
just make sure not to get it on the wheel treads.
i don’t know about airbrushing it on though.
but according to their info, its not supposed come off/wear off too easily.
so, i wouldn’t recommend it.