Just installed all new "O" scale track and it looks too shiny. How do I "rust" the rails without damaging them? Also, any tricks on how to make the center rail blend in a little better?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
You can buy a brown paint stick at a hobby shop or at Michaels craft store. Just drag it along the side of the rail.
.....
Dennis
Ok. I will give that a try. Just getting into the hobby and having a ton of fun! Revamping a layout my grandfather did and hasn't been set up since Christmas 1958!! Pretty cool stuff. Very $$$!! Oh well, you can't take $$ with you as they say! Might as well spend it on trains??? Lol
Paint the rail sides. You are correct left as is they are to bright. BUT.....real rail color is more a dirty black.....brown/red brown is too rusty IMHO only!!
Before you ballast, spray paint in flat gray, perhaps mottled with a little brown streak. Wipe the rail tops before it dries, instant rusty rails.
Originally Posted by Greg Hannold:
Just installed all new "O" scale track and it looks too shiny. How do I "rust" the rails without damaging them? Also, any tricks on how to make the center rail blend in a little better?
Why do you want to make them "look rusty"? Real main line rails, that are in daily use are definitely NOT rusty.
If the track is already installed Floquil makes paint markers for rail weathering:
http://www.micromark.com/Floqu...ack-Colors,8968.html
The sides of even brand new rail weather very quickly. Only the rail head stays bright/shiny.
Chuck is right, the rail head is shiny brite, but the sides are dirty dark gray, at least all the tracks that I see.
