weathered track

[elcercao]

I am giving a try to weathered track but have a lot of problems getting good electric contact. I have sanded the top of the rails and a little the edges of each end of the flex track ( HOn3 code 70) and have sodered the electric wires to the rail joiners rather than the track. MY engines run fine on the regular track. What should I do?
Lourdes

[jwmurrayjr]

Lourdes,

Have you painted all of your track or just a small portion?

I've found it better to paint the track AFTER it is down and tested.

[IRONROOSTER]

If the track was weathered before the rail joiners were put on you may not be getting good rail to joiner electrical contact.
Good luck
Paul

[Anonymous]

I paint my track with an airbrush after it is down, I first wipe the top of the rail with modelflex cleaner then I go back and use 91% isopropyl alcohol and wipe again. I have never had a problem. When you wipe the track, try and use your nail and scrape and wipe at the same time, this way you won't accidentally remove to much paint...Mike

[wp8thsub]

When you clean the track after weathering, remember to clean the top inside portion of the rail heads - that's where much of the contact is made with the wheels. Your description makes it sound like you painted the track before installation, which could be a problem if you didn't solder the rail joiners in place and otherwise ensure the feeders are actually delivering power to the rails. Check the track with a meter and see what voltage you're getting at the rail heads; if you're not seeing a satisfactory readout with the power supply on full the problem is with the joiners/feeders.

[elcercao]

Thank you all for your answers. The track was purchased weathered. But I see what I was doing wrong. I did not sand the track good enough where the rail joiners go. I need work slower, be more thourough.

[wp8thsub]

QUOTE: Originally posted by elcercao

The track was purchased weathered. But I see what I was doing wrong. I did not sand the track good enough where the rail joiners go.

I use Micro Engineering pre-blackened track/rail a lot. One of my favorite ways to clean the blackener from a future solder joint is with a wire brush attachment in a motor tool; a few seconds work and you're ready. Another good tool is a fiberglass eraser.