painting tracks help please.

[Anonymous]

Hi, I would like to paint my HO tracks. the first quenstion is what colors do you suggest. But the second question that I can't seem to find an answer to: all the books say paint the RR ties then wipe the paint off the rails. So is it true that the trains won't run if there is paint on the rails? If so, why do the pictures show dark rails? If not, then why do they say to wipe the paint off the rails???
Thank you in advance.
-Jeff

[Anonymous]

Jeff:

Scale model trains pick up electricity off the top of the rails. If the rails are painted, the electricity will not flow up though the wheels to the motor. Real train tracks that are not in use have dark rails, ones in use are shiney steel.

If you use Floquil paint, they have a color called Rail Brown. I've used it, as it seems OK to me. Others may have different suggestions.

Bob Boudreau

[cwclark]

I have a painting technique that is quick and easy but be sure there is plenty of ventilation in the room because it involves spray paint...first, take a rag and coat the tops of the rails with wahl's clipper oil so that the paint doesn't stick to the top of the rail and you loose electrical contact.....from the top... paint the ties flat black by spraying light squirtsstraight down on top of the ties..next take a piece of card stock and cover the ties with it and then use primer red and spray the rails in light squirts from the side...after this is done, take a can of primer gray and give it light squirts in random spots along the rail to highlight it...use very litte paint on all three colors..a lot of paint is not necessary...last, take a rag and wipe off the excess paint off the top of the rail and go over them with a bright boy track cleaner...Chuck

[hminky]

I have a webpage on how I weather track:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/weathered_track/



Hope that helps
Harold