Large Scale Central

Given most models are plastic, over time ...

General Discussion
#21

Pete Lassen said:

ok now if someone can come up with a time frame: X number of UV exposure/time =Y degradation or something along those lines, we will have an idea of what to expect for working life of a model. I guess the clear UV should be liberally applied to all rolling stock as a safety measure

I am not sure that adding a coating is automatically GOOD for our plastic models. The coating itself MAY create it’s own issues.

However when I build a wood/fiberglass/epoxy kayak I do coat it with a clear varnish with ultraviolet filters. This varnish does have to be periodically recoated…more frequently in high sun exposure situations. Epoxy is a plastic and is also harmed by ultraviolet light and heat. Paint is better protection than the varnish

#22

Some of our models are ABS plastic, and so are some plumbing pipes. Some plumbing pipes are also PVC. I am not sure if any of our models are PVC. Some models are poly-carbonate. These plastics are supposed to be more durable then polystyrene. So I guess, I am thinking, that its the UV “light” that is the biggest issue with the durability of plastics. After all, the plumbing pipes I mentioned, seldom even are exposed to viable light, much less ultraviolet light. So its the UV inhibitors/protection that we probably need to be interested in investigating. As for coating/painting my models, I do, but that is more for looks then for protection. And as I wondered in my other post, could paints and coatings cause other issues with plastic? For example, could one type of paint actually accelerate the aging of plastic, and make it brittle sooner then if the plastic wasn’t painted? I don’t know, I am not a chemist, nor do I play one on TV. But I do wonder…

I don’t know what plumbing pipes’ expected lifespan is, but its probably quite long. If my models survive half that long, I probably won’t be playing with them anymore. So, if my models outlive me, then I will be happy. If not, then I hope someone is still mass producing them, at a reasonable cost, when that day comes.

#23

Thought you all might find this interesting… UV index for the US as of May. Here in the SW we are already at or near the top. By July the value will reach Krypton Death Ray level and all GR models left outside for extended periods will melt into slag and decompose.

#24

Very interesting. My new weather station (Ambient Weather model) gives UV index, and keep records of it as well. Cloudy day here in MD is 5, sun starting to peek through, now 7, hmm

Jerry

#25

Thanks to all for the information.

As to a remedy from sun deterioration of track, I have sprayed ties and rails with several variations of the “Rusty Brown” available in spray cans. Evidence of value is comparing track that was not sprayed. The RUSTOLEUM brand, with UV protection at whatever amount, shows in the sprayed track’s durability e.g. less cracking ties.

#26

I have sprayed my track with an Armorall-type sprayer every 6 months since the stuff was about 5 years old. Now about 10 years old and still perfect and stays black.

I used to use the Turtle Wax variant, in the dayglo green bottle, but now back to the “original formula” Armorall. Both have UV protectant.

I know that there are people that cannot forget 30 years ago that “Armorall made my dashboard crack”, but I have 10 years of success. Oh, it also helps keeping paint from fading, especially the red in USAT Santa Fe warbonnents.

I buy the stuff in the “refill bottle”, then dump it into a $10 tank sprayer from Home Depot. Now I can stand and walk and spray the track in very short order.

Works for me.

Greg

#27

I don’t have to worry about UV deterioration of my ties. I painted them, and they are still good, right up until the deer step on them and break them right off the rails. Heck a deer stepped on my bridge abutment the other day, and now instead of being C shaped, its L shaped.

#28

I have had tie detiorization over time, a couple different manufacturers, it was on the ground operations and when picking up to relocate to the above ground run - ties would break at the track alignment tabs.