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I'm thinking about painting the outer rails with Rail Brown to give them a weathered look. I've got a couple of questions. Floquil was the go-to for this, but of course, they stopped making it. Any recommendations for a replacement? Now, a functional question. I'm a bit concerned about effecting the track conductivity of both track voltage and DCS signal (when I use it). I'm thinking it(the paint) won't effect those, but want to make sure before I do something and make a big mistake. 

Suggestions?

 

Roger

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Instead of trying to match model paints and opinions, here are two suggestions:

 

Camo "Brown" or "Earth" (brand-dependent - go to hardware store) is what I use to

spray my track before it gets used. Do it outside. After it dries, I use a fine sanding

sponge or block to clean the rail tops.

 

Or, if the track is already in place, go to your local rail yards and mainlines. Observe.

Never mind Floquil or whatever. LOOK at the rails. Real rails. Take some good digital

photos. Go to different areas. Around here (warm, humid climate) the rails are a

dark blackish brown. In the desert, they will be a different color. Go to Home Depot (etc)

and get some paint sample cards that approximate the colors you want. Look at your

photos; go back to the REAL rails. When you have a card that 90%+ matches, go to your

favorite paint store and have them match it and mix up a quart of flat-as-possible latex. Use that to paint your rail sides. Thin it or not, as you like it. Last you forever. Cheap. Based on REAL rails, not someone else's interpretation of someone else's interpretation.

 

I'm sure that your digital photos could be used for matching somehow, but that's beyond me.

 

Don't use "Oxide Red" spray cans. Nothing is that color except some boxcars and cabooses.

Rail isn't brown, except on seldom-used spurs.  Before ballasting -- in fact, before being laid onto the sub grade -- my main line track was painted with Rust Oleum Camouflage Green (which looks grey when dry) center rail, ties, and all, and then, while the paint was still fresh the top of the rails were wiped with a rag dampened with paint thinner.  The yard tracks(which have dark cinder ballast were done the same way with Rust Oleum Camouflage Brown.  I went over the top of all rail with a bright boy before ballasting, and again after.  I think it turned out to look realistic.  The attached photo shows both main and auxiliary tracks so you can see the comparison:

 

 

IMG_1143

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Last edited by Number 90

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