Bullfrog snot

I used it in a pinch. Stopped using it because as the engines sit, they get flat spots cuz the snot is soft. There's nothing better than a good ole rubber traction tire. A little practice and they are very easy to replace.

Yes, I believe you have miss all the many discussions concerning Bullfrog Snot, over the past few years.

 

You might try the "search" function to find some of the many folks that use it.

Thank you.  I'll mention it to my HO buddies,  whose engines are much lighter!

I used it on a couple of early post war engines (675, 221) lacking magnetraction. It doubled the number of cars they could pull. It only takes a very thin coat to work. I don't think I would use it as a substitute for traction tires on engines so equiped.

 

Pete

All it takes to learn to love the snot is to change a traction tire on an MTH Premier Climax.  

I have been very pleased with it.  I have installed it on my scale Big Boy, and Cab Forward.  Definitely prefer using it as opposed to dis-assembly of the engines.  No doubt their is a learning curve, but I usually use a tooth pick, then trim with an Exacto knife.  I've been very pleased.

Don't do it.  Replace a tire with a tire.  A properly installed tire will last for years.

 

Frog Snot is a must for my tinplate engines.The engine driver wheels slip on the track really bad without it.

I use it  on my MTH locomotives. Great results an has lasted many many hours of use. Some of the locomotives pull 45 cars up 2% grades.

Just what Marty said. If you have that option go with a traction tire. When installed properly you won't have any problems. I tried snot on an old S gauge engine and wasn't impressed with the results.

Dan

i see you use it on tinplate,have similiar slippage,what wheels do you put it on ,as to not interfere with continuity.

thanks rich

In the days before Bullfrog Snot and traction tires, what did they do?

 

The correct answer is...Run small, short consists. A practice still in use today. 

Has anyone tried an RTV compound from Corning, DOW, or equivalent?

 

 

I applied the Frog Snot to two of the drivers(left side in the photo)on my tinplate engine.The grounding is still made through the other side of the drivers,front and rear trailing trucks and even the tender wheels.The Frog Snot turns from green to black pretty quickly,even on clean track,but seems to keep working after the color change. 

What my dad and I did in the '50s was to cut a thin strip of electrical "friction tape" and apply it to two of the engine drive wheels.  This worked well, but our trains were only run on holiday layouts.

Tom B 

Back in the day, some people put masking tape on an outside rail on a grade.

I have tried GE-silicone, but was not happy 'long-term'.  The MAIN comment against Frogsnot is that it forms  [permanent?]  flat spots when an engine sits still for some time....

Only if you leave the model sitting ON TRACK, do "flat spots" develop. The models I have with Bullfrog Snot get run, or go back into their plastic tool box for storage again, thus I've not had that issue.

I believe it was developed for engines that didn't come with traction tires. If you apply as directed the film is about as thin as paint and there is little chance of flat spots. If you try and fill the groove meant for traction tires then, yes, you might get flat spots.

 

Pete

Pete:  Helpful comment, with which I agree.  My use of silicone was for locos with the traction-tire channel.  It was probably too thick.....as would be the case for the 'snot',  i believe.

The various steam locomotive models that I have used the Bullfrog Snot on were ALL due to thrown/broken traction tires, thus I "filled the groove" with multiple layers of the BF Snot. I let each layer sit from 30 min to an hour, and then applied another very thin layer, and after the traction tire grove is completely filled, the model sat, up-side-down for 2 or 3 days. It has always worked well for my needs.

Added weight is my preferred option to increase pulling power. I've added weight to many of my O and HO locomotives.

 

The "snot" name is disgusting and I would never buy it or try it on that account.

Sounds GOOD, HW!!  Multiple thin layers, with time to 'cure' between applications.  I like it!

 

My original post was in sarcasm aimed toward Std Gauge. Back then they added more weight. I have six engines that my grandfather added lead weights. I remember the black friction tape from the 50's. It was a bugger to clean all the residue mess. But it worked and how.

Marty, I remember the masking tape as well. Contrary to what people say, those were not the days. Rubber tires are the best thing since bubble gum. This is my opinion. 

I tried Bullfrog Snot a couple of years ago on my two Lionel postwar industrial switchers. The improvement in initial performance was great. However, the Snot doesn't stay on the wheels forever. When I went back to the jar to reapply it after a few months, the whole thing was solid.

My Bullfrog Snot is five years old and is still very liquid in its jar.

Pappy, I am with you.  Back in the day is a go back in time statement.  I agree with ACE on added weight also.  I would not trade today for anything.