A Nice Little S7 Layout

SimonT

SimonT

Western Thunderer
I find this rusting a little strange as I have always used steel rail through Brockenborough, Braunstone Gate, The Field, Y Cae, Aberbeeg and The Back End. The first five lived in a double loose box with a tin roof that rained after a frost, although Aberbeeg did move into a custom built wooden building. I did have rust after using Carrs Green flux to solder some wiring on. The rust was removed mechanically and then treated with Jenolite. What could be causing the different experiences?
Simon
 
simond

simond

Western Thunderer
Well, if you are successful, it would be good to know, even though it’s a bit late for my layout. Fingers crossed.

Simon
 
MarkR

MarkR

Western Thunderer
SimonT said:
I find this rusting a little strange as I have always used steel rail through Brockenborough, Braunstone Gate, The Field, Y Cae, Aberbeeg and The Back End. The first five lived in a double loose box with a tin roof that rained after a frost, although Aberbeeg did move into a custom built wooden building. I did have rust after using Carrs Green flux to solder some wiring on. The rust was removed mechanically and then treated with Jenolite. What could be causing the different experiences?
Simon
Click to expand...
 
MarkR

MarkR

Western Thunderer
Hi Simon,

Is that "The Back End" that was displayed at the recent Bristol O Gauge Show.

If it is I really enjoyed watching it, what sort of size is the layout.

Apologies for drifting off thread!

Thank you

Mark
 
Chuffer

Chuffer

Active Member
Brian McKenzie said:
Can you advise what the "very expensive stainless steel blackening fluid" is please ?
Thanks, Brian
Click to expand...

Caswell Industries Europe (they're in Hampshire) supplied the fluid - photo below. However I was looking at their website this morning and can't see it listed - maybe fewer people were buying it as it cost about £55 plus postage for this quite small bottle when I last bought some a couple of years ago. I Googled it and there are Youtube demos of it being used on US sites; think the parent company is in the USA.
They do list other cheaper products that they suggest for stainless steel although it would seem it's only currently available in 5 litre containers so not much help for our uses.

P1020438.jpg
 
Chuffer

Chuffer

Active Member
simond said:
Well, if you are successful, it would be good to know, even though it’s a bit late for my layout. Fingers crossed.

Simon
Click to expand...

Hi Simon,
This morning I tested a short length of hi-nickel rail. After cleaning it with a fibre glass brush, I applied the fluids to rail sides and top using a cotton bud and vigorously polished the rail with the bud to create a little heat, which helps the process work. After the fluid dried (hairdryer helps) I buffed up the rail top surface with a cloth, which leaves a shiny and still conductive surface.

Results:

1. Tourmaline antiquing fluid sort of works - it's designed to create antique finishes on brass or bronze (Squires stock this) but does work well on steel to create a brown/black finish. With hi-nickel it tints the rail a yellow/brown colour, not unlike brass, which rather defeats the object of the exercise . . .:rolleyes:

2. Birchwood Casey Perma Steel blackener isn't very effective.

3. Their Brass blackener works quite well and turns the hi-nickel a blue/black.

4. Their Aluminum black works very well.

5. Stainless steel blackener wasn't so effective as anticipated.

The Aluminum black is the most effective of all so that's what I'd use.
 
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