How to tarnish cheap track

C

CoggesRailway

Registered
Hi All,

Some of my new track is AMS as it was on offer, most is LGB. I know from experience that LGB weathers down nicely (already is doing) but the AMS stuff even after years, is yellow.

I am certainly not taking the track back up, but if I could paint a little of something on it that would react I would do so.

Any ideas, that can be found in B&Q or Screwfix?

Ian
 
Just leave it and it will eventually tarnish?

I have 2 short lengths of the ART track (level crossing/re-railer) which have a much yellower brass than the LGB rail.

It's taken a while but it is beginning to dull.

If you do want to paint, I've used Humbrol rust colour on Hardyard; a small tinny was enough there though. You'll probably need a bucket full!

Might be something else you can put on the rails maybe, like the rust dust?

I'd test a short length of track first as it uses vinegar I believe? Normally this would clean the tarnish (acetic acid).

Best I can offer....
 
I have some of this track before and it's four years and still too bright (next to LGB), I wasn't thinking of paint more like a chemical that would do it... the guy i was chatting to at GRS said he thought it was the Chinese recycled brass as opposed ot the virgin brass on LGB.
 
If you are going to chemically tarnish the rails be careful it does not damage the plastic of the sleepers or chairs. If it reacted and softened the plastic you could find rails springing out of place.
 
Apparently - Coca Cola.........
Soak it in it (try some test pieces)
Don't leave too long as Coke will "eat" the brass
Don't rub the Coke onto the brass as this will shine it
Let us know how you get on :D
 
CoggesRailway said:
... the guy i was chatting to at GRS said he thought it was the Chinese recycled brass as opposed ot the virgin brass on LGB.
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Pure b*****it. It depends on the percentage constituents of the bass metals that form the particular brass compound. A few years ago, I was involved in a building project at a secret location - heavily publicised by an MI6 whistleblower :rolf::rolf: - where the architect carefully selected brass window frames of a particular composition to ensure that they went brown. We also had to clad the front entrance door in the same type of brass (to get the same colour) and the spec was very tight.

So brass going brown is less common, but all down to the mix. Yes, USAT, Aristocraft and presumably AMS all go dull yellow and get dirtier over a longer period of time. LGB goes brown comparatively quickly.
 
Rhinochugger said:
So brass going brown is less common, but all down to the mix. Yes, USAT, Aristocraft and presumably AMS all go dull yellow and get dirtier over a longer period of time. LGB goes brown comparatively quickly.
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And Aristo doesn't need so much cleaning as LGB!
 
CoggesRailway said:
Would a gun blue pen work?
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Don't know what one of those is, but you could always try it on one of those odd bits of track cut offs....
 
for completeness if anyone googles this in the future, gun blue produces a nice aged look when brushed thinly on brass AMS track. Gun blue is of course, nasty stuff, handle with care.
 
Hi Ian.
In the Beaver Creek station area of the garden/layout the colour of aggregate was to be a red/pink so I made the track sort of match it (rusty rails and some effect on the ties).
I either rattle-can sprayed it (If I didn't want the ties to take the paint I gently greased them first then cleaned off the rail heads).... or....For short runs and in different areas of the garden I use one of the range of 'Testors' weathering pens (this is nice and easy)

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Due to my neighbour providing a bird feeder close to the fence between our gardens my USA Trains track is now getting a regular dose of pigeon poop. :crying::crying:

Maybe the chemicals in these unwelcome deposits will have the weathering effect you're seeking - I'll keep you posted.
 
Ralphmp said:
Due to my neighbour providing a bird feeder close to the fence between our gardens my USA Trains track is now getting a regular dose of pigeon poop. :crying::crying:

Maybe the chemicals in these unwelcome deposits will have the weathering effect you're seeking - I'll keep you posted.
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:D :D :D
 
funandtrains said:
It just shows how much better quality the brass Chinese use is than that the Germans use!
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:rolf::rolf: Now now Steve.
The tarnishing is apparently due to the lead content in the LGB track as opposed to the low lead content in the Aristo/USAT stuff......
 
beavercreek said:
funandtrains said:
It just shows how much better quality the brass Chinese use is than that the Germans use!
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:rolf::rolf: Now now Steve.
The tarnishing is apparently due to the lead content in the LGB track as opposed to the low lead content in the Aristo/USAT stuff......
Click to expand...

Now that's interesting as the Aristo stuff is easier to belly-bend than the LGB - yet you'd have thought it would be the other way round :thinking::thinking:
 
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