Hi there,
I´ve been using Friuls for quite a while now and I normally
paint them with enamels. But this evening I read, in the library, a short text that states "I used a mix of vinegar and bleech on the tracks, but be carefull as this produces harmful gases" . Not very discriptive, huh?
Has anyone else heard of this?
If so what are the mix ratios?
How strong is the vinegar?
Could there be a reaction with the Cyano glue that holds the track pins (explosion/poisoness gas/spontaneous combustion)
I would be very greatful for any infos, before I go to my cellar and blow the house up
Paul

I clean the tracks with vineger and dry them off. Than i soak the tracks in blacken it, for 5-8 min, and that should darken the tracks....

Paul,

I would not recommend that mix as it will produce chlorine gas, quite nasty!

I have used Blacken-it like Tony and presoaked the tracks in vinegar. One thing to keep in mind with Blacken-it is that cyano glue will prevent Blacken-it from tarnishing the metal.

Nate

Hi Nathan,
what the f .
Thankyou very much for the warning, I got the tip out of last months edition of "Scale Military Modeller International". That mag is sold everywhere, I just hope no unknowing people try this out. That is dangerous.
I shall wright to them and tell them to check what they print in the future, but I doubt it´ll change anything.
Again thanks for the warning
Paul

I have found that when using blacken-it, it is important to wash the tracks after soaking to stop the reaction. If not they will continue to weather and darken.


At least it has happened with mine. Other's results may be different, but I do love the stuff.


J

All: I seem to recall the chemical for Gun-Bluing also works in lieu of blacken-it? Is this correct? I can get Gun-Blue easier than blacken-it here, and I'm about to do my first set of Friuls. Thanks in advance for any info.

Happy Modeling, -zon

Hi all,
thanks for the info, I have a bottle of tarnishing fluid
from "Uschi van der Rosten". I was just looking for a cheaper way of doing things. I just hope nobody out there
gets hurt doing the vinegar and bleech thing, I sure ain´t
going to try it.
Paul

Using 'Blacken-it' works, but it seems to be hit-or-miss. I've seen one modeler achieve a brownish patina, but I have been unable to get that; usually a blackish-greyish staining. The links should be submersed before linking them or attaching them in a container filled with 'Blacken-it' with constant agitation to disloge any air bubbles trapped in crevises in the track links. Air bubbles will prevent contact with the solution. And keep an eye on them! There will be no apparent changes for several minutes, but then the process will develop rapidly. If you leave the links in the solution too long they will really look ugly . And 'Blacken-it' weakens with usage and time, so you can't reuse it too often.

Mike Roof provided an excellent SBS on using gun bluing agents here:

Tracks

James: Many Thanks for the link!! That's the one I was remembering, but hadn't bookmarked. Now to the store!

Happy Modeling, -zon