Making drive tires black

I've used several different paints with good results on my Steam loco wheels. Scalecoat loco black and Badger Model Flex engine black worked well, adhering to a clean oil free surface. I tried using Blacken It which chemically blackens most metal and brass with poor results. Paint worked the best for me and can be removed easily.   

If you paint the running surfaces of the wheels, you may well insulate them from the track.

Schuman,

 

It's really easy to do if you mount the locos on rollers or run them on their backs. Just clean the wheels with alcohol first. Use some kind of loco black with small brush. Can't miss.

Go for it.

 

Ron

I painted my Lionel legacy K-4s tires black then put a nice flat clear coat on them, came out nice

I would not (never have) used paint: it will chip off after some running, potentially could gum up things, and does not conductor electricity well.

 

I use Micromark's neolube.  It goes on like paint but is actually an electro-onducting dry lubricant.  It dries to a metallic cast-iron look that is perfect.  

 

This MTH BR-44 had very bright red wheels, etc., beforehand.

 

This is another loco.  wheels and drivers done with Neolube.

I have also tried Blacken-It with mixed results. As Lee says try Neolube, it has a good reputation around here. I am going to try that next myself, as soon as I get an order built up for Micro-Mark.

Just paint the tire sides with an engine black or some equivalent paint.  Keep the running surface of the tires clean and you'll have 0 electrical issues.  I have painted all of mine that have needed it and haven't had any problems.   It's the same scenario when they are painted for weathering purposes...just keep the running surface clean of any paint.

Thanks everyone for the help. I don`t understand why Lionel does this.

Well, "shiny" sells . . . 

A gun bluing product works well. It is electrically conductive, and you can put on multiple coats to get a darker finish if preferable.

 

Larry