Ok, thanks Greg. I've never tried it but have had it suggested to me by others.
Bob in Kalamazoo
I've seen this done (and have tried it). In both cases, on shiny plating... it looks like someone took a felt marker to the wheels. The black is too black, you see the "brush strokes" and it's still somewhat "see through".
Regards, Greg
Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.
Click here for Greg's web site
How about using a permanent black marker? It might be worth a try. Easy and cheap to do.
Because the plating could be peeling already, I would use a 3" or so wire brush on a drill or drill press. This will loosen or remove loose plating, and will give tooth to the plating that stays. Chemicals would probably get into the interface between the axle and the wheel.
They might also have to be neutralized. Hand sanding is too time consuming to get into the countours.
The ideal method would probably be sand blasting but protecting the axle tips, and the wheel treads and flanges would take time and be a bother I would think.
Just some more thoughts.
Hi all...
I just received some Aristocraft ART29111B wheels which I ordered from them with their buy 5 get one free deal (flyer included in 2 bay hopper cars)... works out to about $4.35/axle.
I have successfully painted many — many wheelsets in HO but these Aristocraft wheels seem to be a "black chrome" plating and the Rustoleum® paints that I tested on the wheels just peels off with a light rub of my fingernail. As Greg Almassian points out on his site that Aristo's plating is really thin and when I wire brush the wheel tread after painting the plating all but disappears (leaves a coppery finish which is probably a sub-plating)
Does anyone have a suggestion for roughing up the surface (chemical etching?) or finding a way to get the paint to get a better bite? I'm sure if I continue to paint the wheelsets directly on the chrome (nickel?) it will eventually weather away.
Thanks!!! Ed
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