Actually two questions. How long will galvanized brads last when tacking through brass rail? Has anyone had problems using vinegar and steel wool mixture to stain and age cedar?
How long will the nails last will depend on weather. I have heard stainless steel nails lasting for many years with no problems but also have heard people with not such good luck. Everything I read steel nails are best because when they rust they sick into the ties better. Stainless will work out over time and needs to be pushed back in.
Your idea for weathering cedar will work. You can also use a blackwash using acrylic paint. I have heard denatured alcohol and shoe polish works well.
Shawn Viggiano said:
I have heard denatured alcohol and shoe polish works well.
Shawn,
I have used the leather shoe die method and it works okay. I would recommend it 100% for indoor layouts, but not so much for outdoor layouts. My experience has the shoe die staying nice and dark for about 4-6 months until it turns to a light gray. My thought is that the UV rays are causing the problems?A dark walnut stain for outdoors seems to be a good replacement for the shoe die method.
I’ve used the Vinegar & Steel Wool mix to stain Pressure Treated wood. It did a good job of getting rid of the green look but I don’t think the color lasted more than two seasons. Don’t have any outdoor experience on Cedar. I’ve used it indoors and it stains Cedar an interesting orange-brown color.
I use boiled linseed oil and ebony stain mixed in 75/25 proportion to stain the ties and help preserve them, too. Seems to work well.
Marc,
I can’t answer your questions specifically, but I can show you what works for me. I hand lay my track using code 215 aluminum on individual cedar ties. I first dip the ties in Olympic Water Guard and allow them to dry.
After the ties are dry, I attach the ties to my PVC ladder roadbed. Here is a section for a curved turnout with a fifteen foot radius on the outer leg and a ten foot radius on the inner leg.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users//bob_hyman/track/DSC05866%20Edited.jpg)
After the ties are attached, I spike down the rail with 3/8" medium spikes. Here is what the completed sections look like as they are installed on the layout.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users//bob_hyman/track/DSC07167%20640x480.jpg)
This particular section being installed is a curved turnout with a twenty foot radius on the outer leg and a fifteen foot radius on the inner leg. The ties stay the orangish-brown color for about a year; then gradually fade to a light weathered gray color.
Bob Hyman
Nice work, that is a commitment. I’m looking for the weathered gray look, not the orange so I might let mother nature do the work and then seal it. As for the spiking. I was able to re tap the rail 2-56 and brass screw it up through the ties. Its a small deck bridge. I will spike along the rail latter leaving the head up to bend over the foot of the rail.
When I was staining my bridges and trestles, I went to Home Depot and got a gallon of exterior deck stain custom blended. I happened to go with a dark brown transparent stain, but there were LOTS of choices, including gray.
Marc Bergmueller said:
I’m looking for the weathered gray look, not the orange
A few drops of India Ink in alcohol with give a very light gray stain. Experiment by adding just a few drops at a time to get the desired shade then paint or soak the ties. When dry you can seal.
Marc Bergmueller said:
Nice work, that is a commitment. I’m looking for the weathered gray look, not the orange so I might let mother nature do the work and then seal it. As for the spiking. I was able to re tap the rail 2-56 and brass screw it up through the ties. Its a small deck bridge. I will spike along the rail latter leaving the head up to bend over the foot of the rail.
Marc,
You didn’t mention if you are outdoors or in? Outdoors, most wood will turn grey and weathered if you leave it in the sun! Just like the real thing. If you want the look of fresh creosote, then use a deck stain, as suggested above.
Pete, I’m outside and impatient. But I will let it get grey then seal.
Pete, I’m outside and impatient. But I will let it get grey then seal.
Pete, I’m outside and impatient. But I will let it get grey then seal.
Marc Bergmueller said:
Pete, I’m outside and impatient. But I will let it get grey then seal.
No need to seal it once it is grey, unless it is going to rot. In which case - seal it first with ‘driftwood’ color deck seal.
Marc Bergmueller said:
Pete, I’m outside and impatient. But I will let it get grey then seal.
Marc, after three times, I think we understand that you are “outside and impatient.” (http://www.freerails.com/images/emoticons/yahoo.gif)(http://www.freerails.com/images/emoticons/t%20up.gif)(http://www.freerails.com/images/emoticons/hail.gif)
I post once and get three. It’s a special Bob is running until Halloween. You aren’t eligible, Steve?
I guess I missed out on that one, Marc. Story of my life. (http://www.freerails.com/images/emoticons/t%20up.gif)