Tubular Track Rust - Old subject, new angle.

[SleeperN06]

I mentioned that I’m building a layout outside on my covered patio in another thread. Well I accrued a box of tubular track that is a little rusty and I’m starting to clean it.

I don’t know at this point if I should even worry about the tinplating and I will definitely use Scotchbrite to keep the top of the rails clean. I’m getting a little tired of trying to clean all this track even with a wire wheel on a grinder and the sides are a pain.

I’m going to paint this entire track anyway and I was wondering if there was some spray paint that I can paint over the rust that will neutralize it. Tubular track is cheap and I’m not too worried about it lasting a life time. However it would be nice if I can at least get a couple of years out of it.

Anyway I found a couple of threads from 2007 that addressed this problem pretty good, but don’t talk about “Paint”.

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/100301/1167999.aspx#1167999

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/90101/1060081.aspx#1060081

 

[joetrains]

  Loctite Extend is a liquid or spray that combines with rust to form a black coating that can be painted. 

It can be found in auto stores and paint stores. 

[SleeperN06]

joetrains

  Loctite Extend is a liquid or spray that combines with rust to form a black coating that can be painted. 

It can be found in auto stores and paint stores. 

Thanks, I’ll check it out.

I remember years ago painting something with what I belive was primer that claimed you could paint right over rust. I didn’t use it that way, but I always wondered how effective it was. I just don’t remember what it was.

 

[Civil War]

 Has anyone ever tried Naval Jelly on rusty track. It is pretty agressive.

 

[SleeperN06]

Civil War

 Has anyone ever tried Naval Jelly on rusty track. It is pretty agressive.

 

I actually thought about navel jelly, but I haven’t seen it for years.

[ChiefEagles]

joetrains

  Loctite Extend is a liquid or spray that combines with rust to form a black coating that can be painted. 

It can be found in auto stores and paint stores. 

I found a Marine Product at Cabela's that does the same.  Used it on afew rusty spots on boat trailer.  Worked.  Now as to painting rails.  MTH painted its Realtrax center rail black.  First thing you had to do was get the black off or you would not have a good "connection" to pickup rollers.  Think you will find the samething.  You will have to remove the paint on the tops of all the rails for good continuity. 

[servoguy]

 There is a product called POR-15 that is designed to be used on rusty steel.  I have used it on cars, and it works well. You do not have to clean off all of the rust to use it.  However, I don't know how well it will work on plating.  You have a mix of rust and plating.  Normally, you would use something like zinc chromate on the plating.  In this case, if you use POR-15, the more rust you have, the better.  The plating may take paint OK since it is probably aged (oxidized).  You have to put a top coat over the POR-15 because it is UV sensitive.  POR-15 will not peel off like Rustoleum does.