Painting Unitrack

[chicken45]

So, my T-Trak module that I'm doing... not a whole lotta track there so, I want to do a nice job of it.

So far, I've only done 2 things...
Painted the ties and painted the rail.
You can see where I need to clean up the ties since I painted the rail last.  There's also paint shavings/bright boy shavings on the side of the rails that I didn't notice until just now. That brushed off easily. So, my next steps are to add variation to the ties. Planning on various burnt siennas, umbers, and some grays.
That part doesn't seem to hard...it's just the rail that I'm getting caught up on. I don't brighter rust colors to accent the shortcomings of Unitrack. But, I don't think I want all uniform rail brown. Keep in mind this will be ballasted with sanded grout and have freshly fallen fall leaves since it's a peak fall scene.
Thoughts and opinions?

[wazzou]

The first thing I'd do would be to tone down the ballast.  Maybe with Dullcote and a wash of a darker gray to make it less shiny and looking like salt and pepper.

Never mind...I missed the ballasting with grout. 
If it were me and you plan on re-ballasting, I would just spray all of the rail a mix of a rust color you settle on and you can add variations later with some chalks and washes.
You're going to paint the ties anyway, so I wouldn't worry about getting paint on them.

[chicken45]

I heard some folks use Neolube...

[peteski]

I'm not a weatherer in general but I have to ask why would weathering Unitrak (specifically the track itself) be any different than any other nickel-silver track?  Unitrak Code 80 track looks just like Atlas Code 80 - shouldn't. the same weathering techniques everybody else uses on their layouts also apply to this rail?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm not a weatherer in general but I have to ask why would weathering Unitrak (specifically the track itself) be any different than any other nickel-silver track?  Unitrak Code 80 track looks just like Atlas Code 80 - shouldn't. the same weathering techniques everybody else uses on their layouts also apply to this rail?

I can only think of one major difference: the inclusion of the ballast/roadbed means you have to be much more targeted in your paint application. You can't just spray bomb the whole thing the same way you can with flex.

[Dave V]

I can only think of one major difference: the inclusion of the ballast/roadbed means you have to be much more targeted in your paint application. You can't just spray bomb the whole thing the same way you can with flex.

Unless you're good enough to completely cover the roadbed with a single-grain layer of ballast.  I'm not that good, but fortunately I use a similar gray blend anyway.

[chicken45]

@peteski - you're right. I was just overly specific in my subject. I suppose this can be more of a general how to weather track thread. I didn't find a lot when previously searching the forums here.

I do plan to cover the Unitrack roadbed with ballast of a similar color. I nearly forgot you used Unitrack for replacements, @Dave Vollmer. What did you do to yours?

I'm new to weathering track and was curious to what techniques you folks like to use.

[Dave V]

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=31663.0

[Mike C]

 I brush painted mine with rust first , took a while , and was too "rusty" .  Went back with rail / tie brown paint pen . Looks a bit blacker than what you have there . I used the rail-tie brown and regular brown paint pens on the ties . Then ballasted with a mix that was close to what the plastic looks like .

[Santa Fe Guy]

Josh, Try painting the rail with Tamiya Red/Brown. It drys to a flat finish and it has a nice look to it rather than the normal colours we have used in the past. I use it on my wheels as well.
Rod.

[chicken45]

Josh, Try painting the rail with Tamiya Red/Brown. It drys to a flat finish and it has a nice look to it rather than the normal colours we have used in the past. I use it on my wheels as well.
Rod.

Wow...that Red Brown DOES look nice. Thanks for the suggestion, @Santa Fe Guy !

[Philip H]

I think Neoloube is da bomb for track - Uni or otherwise.  Every picture I've ever seen of track done that way was really natural looking . . .

[Dave V]

I think Neoloube is da bomb for track - Uni or otherwise.  Every picture I've ever seen of track done that way was really natural looking . . .

I think where Neolube would be most useful is at the turnout throwbar and points.  Lubrication plus conductivity.  As a bonus it looks greasy.

[Lemosteam]

I think where Neolube would be most useful is at the turnout throwbar and points.  Lubrication plus conductivity.  As a bonus it looks greasy.

Exactly, a mix between rust and Neolube.

[jmarley76]

Josh, Try painting the rail with Tamiya Red/Brown. It drys to a flat finish and it has a nice look to it rather than the normal colours we have used in the past. I use it on my wheels as well.
Rod.

Tamiya Red/Brown is a good, multi-use color to have on hand. You can also add Hull Red in there. It dries to a nice deep brown/maroon that looks like very old track. I've use it on abandoned spurs and sidings.