I am new to this site and I have a question. While searching for answers on how to change the traction tires on an O gauge engine, I came across the description and use for bullfrog snot. The only reviews I have read are those dealing with its use on N and HO scale trains. Has anyone used or heard of its use on O gauge trains? Also, is this product as good as the reviews say? I would be using it on a Railking engine and older model trains as well. Sounds good because I am hesitant to take the engines apart as the manual instructs. Thanks.
Bullfrog Snot is interesting stuff! I have used it on HO locomotives including smaller brass pieces with fair results. It goes on fairly easy once you get the hang of it but you have to make sure it's a smooth application as lumps and bumps will defeat the purpose. Also remember that it's an insulator so you have to choose carefully which drivers to coat with it, the rearmost ones, the main drivers or some or all the drivers on the "cold" side of your engine. You should not have to disassemble an engine to apply it. Just place the engine upside down in a cradle, attach 12V DC leads, run the engine at moderate speed and apply the snot with a pointed skewer or tooth pick. Let it set up overnight and run. Dried snot has a light green sheen that turns black after picking up dirt from the tracks.
It is also hard to get off. You have to use a hobby knife and scrape it off. I did try laquer thinner but it had little effect. So once on, it will stick. Be sure to clean the wheel with a degreeser before applying it.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
I've used it on my HO layout and it does just what it says. A traction tire on one of my Hudsons broke and rather than replace it, I used Bullfrog Snot instead. Worked like a charm. Just be careful and apply it neatly.
On a few of my steam engines i needed new traction tires. These had grooves in the drivers for the tire. Instead of Bullfrog snot i ran the engine upside down and filled the groove with clear silicon. Let it dry 24 hours and everything fixed without removing side r0ds to install tire.
JimValle Dried snot has a light green sheen that turns black after picking up dirt from the tracks.
Exactly why I stay away from it. I'd rather have clean shiny wheels that stay clean, than a sticky one that redistributes dirt all over the layout. Thats why I replaced all the plastic wheel sets with metal ones! Besides, it gives me a reason to doublehead steam!
Karl
NCE über alles!
One thing no one mentioned is that it eventually wears off and needs to be reapplied. How often is dependent on how often the trains get run. I have not had good luck with it on Bachmann steam - don't know why butit always clumps.
There's never time to do it right, but always time to do it over.....
B.S. improved the pulling power of my Bachmann Russian Decapods substantially on 3% grades and I didn't notice any lack of electrical contact occuring.
I find that the B.S. cleans up fine with a lightly applied rag soaked with some rubbing alcohol, just like normal wheel cleaning. The B.S. surface is quite hard so no gummy issues.
I follow up with a track cleaning car after cleaning things anyway and it seem to not be an issue. I would use it again. Replacing traction tires has always been a monumental pain for me and I think this is a "sophisticated" technological replacement. It would be nice if it weren't green, but really it's less noticable (to me anyway) than dangling loco to tender wires.
Jim
Raised on the Erie Lackawanna Mainline- Supt. of the Black River Transfer & Terminal R.R.