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RAILS: TO GLEAM, OR NOT TO GLEAM?
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I'm talking GLEAM!: ULTRA_SHINY and Smooth rails can now be had with my 'WHAT box?" approach to this conductivity problem. An HO modeller since 1970, I know the problem WELL! <br /> THIS IS A ONE-TIME PROCESS. DO ALL TRACK!! <br />1] On an appropiate-sized block, use 400 wet/dry paper to remove the extrusion milling left on the railheads. The block must span both rails. <br />2] Now use 600 or finer, repeat process. <br />3] Using an appropiate-sized STAINLESS-STEEL piece, apply moderate pressure and BURNI***he rails! The more you slide back and forth, the smoother and shinier the rails become! [ the GLEAM part ]. This is because you have removed the ridges, bumps, and pits. Burnishing helps seal pores with metal, eliminating traps for dirt and tarnish; almost like a MIRROR! <br /> 4] [For Bob H.] Use BLUE MAGIC or equivalent metal poli***o deep-clean the remaining contaminates. <br />5] Last, buff the rails to your eye's content! <br />The shine is 5x more lusterous than just polish alone. The wax left behind is minimal, is not insulating, and virtually eliminates rail cleaning. <br /> This is a process HOT OFF THE PRESSES! [Of my brain] I've only been at it 6 weeks with amazing results! {I just added the wax step today.} prior to that, though, the NS HO rails I'm guinea-pigging (300') sans wax STILL gleams today, with slight tarnishing, so I'm gonna wax 'em next! <br />I will also try some classic brass rail to see how that stands up. <br /> <br /> AND REMEMBER; NO MORE ABRASIVES...EVER!!!!!! <br /> Or you'll just ruin your mirror finish, and will have to gleam and wax AGAIN! <br /> Dry-wipe with paper towel or cotton. You can always polish anytime; wipe away excess. <br /> <br /> I've had DCC and DC locos/lash-ups creep at a scale 3-5MPH around the staging level loop 100' with NO STALL or FAULTER. gotta love it[:D]
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