Recently I’ve begun construction on a 7’x14’ layout in my basement. I chose Atlas track and switches and weathered both following the below process based on advice I received:
- Wiped the rail tops with a paper towel saturated with a silicone spray lube so the spray paint won't adhere to the coated surface. Also used painters tape on top of the switch motor/switch to ensure no pain got inside.
- Spray painted the track and ties using RustOleum Camouflage Brown (no.1918830). Immediately after spraying the track, I used a paper towel and wipe off the tops of the rails.
- Once dry, I used mineral spirits and wiped down the tops of the rails to make sure they are clean.
My problem and question is this. The Atlas switches don’t seem to move/travel with ease post weathering. No matter how much I manually move them back and forth in an attempt to “break them in” they seem sluggish and don’t travel fully to each rail. Now that they are wired as well, when they are thrown by electricity, they simply don’t fully throw. Did I ruin these switches by following the above weathering process? Is there a way the damage can be repaired if so? Is there a different method I should have used to weather the switches?
10 switches in total so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for you time and perspective.
Karl
