Garden Railway Forum

I am hoping that these coupling chains will rust in this way. I have seen topics on various forums before (N Gauge) that said if you put any metal in a jar with wire wool, it will turn it rusty.

I put these in last night.


This is what happen overnight.


Now I am not expecting miracles, but does it actually work. I have only put water in the jar. Should I add something else, like Vinegar for example.

Definitely some vinegar.

It depends what the base metal of the shiny links is. If it's brass for example there ain't no way it will go rusty whatever you put in with it. OTOH, various 'blackening salts' will have an effect, personally I like Birchwood Casey Gun Blue which despite it's name turns brass a nice 'weathered rust' colour.
Having said all that, the whole point of chrome plating anything is to reduce/delay the onset of corrosion, so you really need to rub down the links to the base metal, to some degree at least.

If you heat the chain up (to the point that it is glowing) and then cool quickly in water that will give them a weathered look.

Well I was disappointed with the water only and just the same with adding vinegar. I did just try only vinegar, but Anne hated the smell of it.

So I did what Tom suggested, I did leave them a bit longer though, they started glowing red

Here they are, the top two needed some more heat on them.


I am more then happy with them.

Thanks to all who helped with my question.

They look fine to me Rod, I will try that tip from Tom myself..... thanks Tom!

Who says you can't learn from us youngsters

Another top tip - don't use a fork from your best, wedding present, cutlery set to hold the chain over the gas flame. It should be blindingly obvious that the fork will also go black, of course, but guess who didn't think of it...

I've got loads of coupling chain that needs doing, this has reminded me to get round to it, thanks Rod, and thanks Tom too - I didn't know it worked on brass as well as stainless steel...

Andrew.

tom_tom_go wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 2:16 pm Who says you can't learn from us youngsters

I am only a youngster myself Tom…..66 me….

Glad I could help Andrew….

tom_tom_go wrote: ↑Sun Oct 14, 2018 12:41 pm If you heat the chain up (to the point that it is glowing) and then cool quickly in water that will give them a weathered look.

Great tip - thanks!

The chains are now on the little Wittenberg Schafer Loco,


They look ok I think. Shame about the little the windows not fitted, but I have run out of the glue I use to fix glazing…..And the loco needs finishing with some varnish and other little things I am going to put on it.

The couplings look great - and I really like the loco too...

Cheers,

Andrew.

Proper job

That's a lovely little loco and I do like the choice of colours.

Thanks guys.