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REVIEW
TI Hobbies Black Traks
c5flies
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Posted: Monday, April 04, 2011 - 03:48 PM UTC
Darren Baker reviews Black Traks, a chemical treatment for metal tracks from a new company, TI Hobbies.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
SSGToms
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Posted: Monday, April 04, 2011 - 04:44 PM UTC
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.
bill_c
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Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 03:41 AM UTC
Interesting product, Darren, and a fine review. How does this compare to Blacken It, the product many of us use?
CMOT
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Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 07:03 AM UTC
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.
bill_c
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Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 10:03 AM UTC
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.
vonHengest
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Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 01:19 PM UTC
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.
CMOT
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Posted: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 02:14 PM UTC
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.
bill_c
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Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 04:18 AM UTC
Thanks for clarifying that, Darren.
rolf
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Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 04:39 AM UTC
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
retiredyank
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Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 04:50 AM UTC
Why not wash and dry your metal tracks and then put them in vinegar? Can't beat real rust at an affordable price.
CMOT
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ARMORAMA
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Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 11:09 AM UTC

Quoted Text

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



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.
ChrisDM
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Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 12:28 PM UTC
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
CMOT
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Posted: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 - 02:15 PM UTC
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?
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