Gleaming the rails

[Blind Bruce]

I want to gleam my rails so I went to Canadian Tire and bought a single Stainless steel washer for $.57. I have read that you can feel the difference when the burnishing has been completed to satisfaction. I began with a 3 foot section of new nickle silver Atlas code 83 flex track.

I cannot tell the difference by feel. I want to know how hard to press the washer to get results. I also read that sanding wasn't necessary if the track was relatively new. Is that where I am going wrong?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Place the track on a solid level surface and rub the ss washer alnog the track in the same direction the rails go. Press down on the washer with a firm, steady pressure. You'll feel a slight roughness at first that will quickly change as the washer slides along the railheads.

[Mark R.]

Right - It DOES require a fair bit of force. Remember, what you are doing is "melding" the surface smooth. What you are doing is mechanically forcing the metal to reshape itself into a smoother profile. NS rail isn't the softest material around, so it takes a good force to physically smooth the surface.

It really helps to glue a small block of wood on the back of the washer - it's very difficult to apply enough pressure without it.

Mark.