Cure For Frog Shorts

[Tophias]

I contacted Tonnys Trains to discuss how exactly to change the sensitivity of one of my PSX breakers to eliminate the occasional momentary shorts caused by metal wheels crossing the rails of Peco insulfrogs.   I was advised instead of changing the setting I should do the " nail polish" fix, but to use CA.  So my question is, has anyone done this using CA and what is the best type of CA; thick, thin, quick cure, slow cure etc.?  And does it work and if so how well? And does it need to be redone after some period of time?  Thnx all.

[richhotrain]

Disregard Tony's advice. Use clear nail polish.

Rich

[Tophias]

How often does nail polish need to be applied?  Fortunately I usually need to do a thorough cleaning of track just once  year, now using Act 6006 fluid in a CMX tank car cleaner.  Will that remove the nail polish?  Will wheel traffic remove the nail polish?   At what rate?

[richhotrain]

Tophias

How often does nail polish need to be applied?  Fortunately I usually need to do a thorough cleaning of track just once  year, now using Act 6006 fluid in a CMX tank car cleaner.  Will that remove the nail polish?  Will wheel traffic remove the nail polish?   At what rate?

 

I cannot state a specific rate, but it does not need to be repplied often. Yes, wheel traffic degrades the coverage and so does cleaning the track. You will know when the nail polish has lost its effectiveness, and that is when you reapply it.

Rich

[josephbw]

I put nail polish on the frogs at our club layout at least 10-12 years ago, and I've only had to touch up 1 of the 200 or so frogs in that time.

[maxman]

 

Looking at these on the net, I think the cure is to not wear them in the first place

[selector]

richhotrain

Disregard Tony's advice. Use clear nail polish.

Rich

 

I agree with Rich's first statement.  However, my advice would be to cut a gap just a 1/4 or 3/8" further out in ONE OF the two closure rails...take your pick.  If you do this, you'll have a permanent fix.  If you paint anything, it'll last as long as it takes until you get shorts again and have to repeat the process.

[Tophias]

I actually have cut gaps in 3-4 turnouts already. Works 100%.  I was looking to see if there is a better, less invasive solution.  And I actually make the cut just after the turnout rail so as not to upset the turnout.

[bigpianoguy]

Can't imagine why you'd want to cure this - I think they look rather stylish.

[rrinker]

 It ain't easy being green.

            --Randy

[bigpianoguy]

As with much in the modelling world, proper order to the procedure must be followed; it's nail polish ON frogs, NOT...