So the title pretty much asks the question emphasis on the "weathered" flex track. Im not sure what this weathering coat is or how to remove it so I can solder drops and rail joiners.
Use a Scratch Brush from Micro Mark. Very useful brush for preparing the rails for soldering. I used it on brand new un-weathered track. Makes a nice clean spot for soldering.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
BMMECNYC,
Rich is correct. I use that same ME weathered rail, no ties in my round house. My LHS got a tube of just rail, that he sells by the piece.
Frank
I usually remove the "weathering" around the joiner or feeder loaction with a few passes of a small file. It's a chemical blackener that inhibits a solid bond with solder.
Rob Spangler
I use a knife blade to scrape it shiny. Generally, I solder feeders to the bottom of the rail. In cases where I need to mount it low on the web or base, it's little trickier to reach in and get it, but works the same.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
File, scratch brush, wire wheel in a Dremel, all will work. Definitely need to get a clean spot of rail without the blackener layer to get a good solder joint.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
mlehmanGenerally, I solder feeders to the bottom of the rail.
Thats the only thing I could figure out that would consistantly work with the least amount of effort. So thats what Im doing. Last time I take a shortcut on weathering. I will DIY the rest of my track once this stuff is gone. Going to use it on the outside the roundhouse tracks. Thanks for your suggestions.
BMMECNYCLast time I take a shortcut on weathering.
I like to use ME weathered rail despite the extra work for each solder joint. Once the track is painted, any chips are not obvious, as they reveal only the blackener underneath. Chipped paint on plain rail leaves an obvious shiny spot. Another benefit is how easily I can mark the rail for cutting by scratching a mark into it with a sharp object. You may learn to like it as well... or not.