I am fooling around with an old 2026 here and used CLR to remove the rust from the engine wheels. It stripped off the original finish too. I used "Blacken-it" on one side and after it dried and it rusted the wheels far worse than before. I removed the rust again and re-tried one wheel. I washed the blacken-it off with clean water after a few minutes. It blackened the wheel but after drying for a few minutes rust is reappearing on the spokes. What do I need to do to get this done right?
Rob
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Neo-lube.....works great.
Use neo-lube. Both locos below have it on the drivers, etc. Easy to use. Lubes, protects, and darkens - also does not interfere with conductivity. the Berkshire has been both neolubed and weathered.
Neolube isn't a chemical blackener; it is an ultra-fine powdered graphite in a liquid carrier, which liquid eventually evaporates, leaving a coating of graphite on the surface. Neolube will come off whatever you've applied it to when touched by your fingers and hands. If Neolube is applied to the tire/tread surface of train wheels, it will leave a residue on the top of the track, just as WD-40 does. Use Blacken-It OR a high quality gun blue, and the surface to which the darkening agent is applied must be absolutely free of oil/grease/skin oil, etc. I'd be inclined to paint the shiny edges of drivers and wheels. I don't blacken or blue wheel treads. I have not experienced the "rust" on cast or sintered iron parts. Phil
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