Darren Baker reviews Black Traks, a chemical treatment for metal tracks from a new company, TI Hobbies.

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Thanks!

Good review Darren and excellent test results. Thank you! This looks like a great product and I really like the look of the results. At $25 USD for 3 sets of tracks, it's pricey on this side of the pond, though.

Interesting product, Darren, and a fine review. How does this compare to Blacken It, the product many of us use?

Bill; The only company selling "blacken it" that I know of is Tank Rat who I will not order from, I have not been able to source it from anywhere in the UK and so I cannot compare the two products. What I can tell you is this works and so I will use it as the price is fair and result pleasing.

Matthew I am sure if there is enough demand someone will start stocking it in the US or Canada which should make it more economical over there.

Thanks, Darren. Every LHS in the US carries "BlackenIt," I think it started out as a product to discolor model railroad tracks. If I can get a container of this stuff, I'll do a comparison.

TankRat's "Black4Track" is very good because it's reusable, unlike BlackenIt. The problem is having to deal with TR.

Thanks for reviewing this Darren. It seems like the overall process is a bit on the complex side, but I really like the results and wouldn't mind picking some of this up when it becomes more affordable over here in North America. The 5 min approach looks very nice, as does the 4m40s approach.

Bill you may have missed it by this product should be good for three sets of tracks as long as the 3 liquids are not contaminated.

Thank you Jeremy.

Thanks for clarifying that, Darren.

I actually like the look of the link with the degreaser not used as to me that is the most realistic looking link for a operational tank. The properly treated links are too rusty looking and thats fine for a derelict tank but not an operational one. Just my opinion.

Roy

Why not wash and dry your metal tracks and then put them in vinegar? Can't beat real rust at an affordable price.

After a phone call with Tim at TI there may be something in the pipeline that will be of interest to you as you are not keen on the rusty look.

I used this recently and got more of a dark brown rather than a rusty look, more like the coating applied to tracks. Maybe I left them in longer

Although the instructions seem complicated I found them easy to follow, once I had found three suitable tubs to put the baths in, then it was just do stage 1, wash, stage 2, wash and so one

The only thing I forgot, and it is important, is I did my tracks after they were assembled. CA resists the solution so you can't have any anywhere visible on the tracks or you will get shiney bits

Chris did you use a water bath between each chemical bath and did you wait for the tracks to dry after the water bath before putting them in the next wash?