Blackening (Heljan wheelsets)

[Debs.]

Hello again WT peeps!
I have acquired a nice new-to-me, Western; a Tower Model's special limited edition, but unfortunately, she has look at me shiny wheelsets.
I've not come upon a Heljan model with (what I assume to be) Inox or Chromium wheels and wanted to ask if there was process or product that may be used to blacken them, rather than just using paint, which may prove rather too fugitive in the longer term.
Thanks for any thoughts,
Debs.

 

[alant]

I tend to use a permanent marker pen to blacken wheels rims. Not tried it on any Heljan though.

 

[simond]

Hi Debs,

I believe the normal metal blacks will not work well on chrome plating or inox / stainless, though if you have them to hand, it might be worth trying. I always aggressively degrease first with acetone.

I found this, but have no knowledge of it. Stainless Steel Blackener 1 Litre

Hth
Simon

 

[Eastsidepilot]

Heljan wheels are a hard brass with a type of chrome plate finish, 'orrible stuff, but I don't know of any product that will chemically blacken it.
As mentioned black marker pens work but might not be the finish you want.

The wheels of this type that I have re-profiled for S7 ends up stripping the plating off which then allows for finishing as required.
Personally if you have the facilities or means to I would turn up steel wheels for a Heljan loco.

Col.

 

[simond]

And replace the gears, if of a certain age.

 

[3 LINK]

Try a Sharpie felt tip pen, they do seem to ( stain ) the wheels, and if one coat isn’t enough then apply another.

Martyn.

 

[Debs.]

Ooh, such smashing suggestions, thanks everyone.
I'll give the Sharpie a go as I've got a murky brown Sharpie™ which might look even more appropriate than black.
I might try the backs of the wheels first, just to get a feeling for how it lays- on, after a thorough degreasing of course. The pick-ups bear upon the hub journals, so I'll steer clear of those.
Thanks again.
Debs.

 

[TheSnapper]

I use these paint pens now:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CNBWP64L?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I find some marker-pens can have a "blue-ink" tinge

Tim