Modelling accessories for the Creative Modeller

How-To-Guide: Conductives

 Warning Sign

On the tracks

Conductive Paint used in Tracks.

 
 
Fill gaps or Improve Joiner Contact Conductive Paint can be used for filling gaps or to improve conductivity between the two rails.
 
The toothpick is not the best applicator. A metal pin or other similar device would be preferable. In some cases a very thin painting brush worked better.
 The two most common issues in tracks are, a) a gap between two adjacent rails and b) the loose rail joiner which may not make a reliable contact.
For making a contact between rails, with a thin applicator, like a pin, take some paint and drip it between the joiner and the rails. The paint will seep down along the sides of the rails between the joiner and some may even go below. The more surface it covers, the better it is, as it provides more conductive adhesiveness. Extra paint can be wiped of with piece of cloth. if dry, it can be scraped off with a knife or a razor blade.
 
Conductive Paint XXXXX.

 
 
Filling gaps A thin strip of sticky tape on both sides, blocks the paint from dripping out.
 
The gap is filled with the Conductive Paint and left to dry.
 A thin strip of sticky tape on both sides, blocks the paint from dripping out. It is recommended to leave the applied Paint to dry overnight. It is a slow drying liquid and no attempt should be made "to check" if it is dry or not. Until it is completely dry, it is susceptible to releasing and loosening.
The Paint is NOT Conductive until completely dry. So please do not try to check for conductivity until absolutely dry.
 
Conductive Paint as a quick Solder.

 
 
 
 
How about improving performance? A quick dab over a wire connection to the tracks will provide the additional feed point that is so crucial to your layout performance. In this case, the wire is over the joiner and not under it. The weathered rail had to be cleaned first.
Clean the track rail to expose the bare metal before starting. Next, secure the feed wire using a tape or some technique so it does not move while drying. Apply Conductive Paint making sure that it seeps between the wire and the rail. Allow to dry overnight.
 
Both components, the track/rail and the wire should be secure so there is no movement until completely dry.
 
Conductive Paint is Strong.

 
 
 
 
 
The Joint is Strong ! Both HO scale tracks, now also joined together, can be picked up together, just by the feed wire.
The Joint is strong and reliable. The Conductive Paint has very high conductivity. Same as that required by computer circuits.

Also See: How people are using Conductive Paint in other creative ways?

In Brief:

Conductive Paint

Conductive Paint
Conductive Paint
 
Shake well before every use and keep the bottle tightly closed.
 
Please do not connect the application to power before the Paint is completely dry.
Provide connectivity by drawing a trace, where wiring is difficult. Dab it to "hold" a connection or make a temporary one, instead of soldering. Cover the 'joint' with glue and you have a near permanent connection.

Ideal for use with LEDs and accessing difficult to wire locations. Paint a pattern and integrate connectivity through the pattern. Use for connecting devices or elements where solder strength is not necessary. For higher strength, use Solder5.

  • Ready to use. No thinning or mixing required.
  • Secure loose connections/contacts
  • Keep some handy. Great for a quick "contact".
  • Dries in normal room temperature conditions.
Designed and manufactured for repairing and modifying printed circuits and EMI / RFI shielding, and repairing traces in circuit boards etc. ROHS Compliant.

Resistivity: 1 Ohm · mil. Stable at normal temperatures and pressures. Durable acrylic base.

Available in a convenient experimental size. Package contains 1/4 oz. wt. Conductive Paint and its Thinner/Solvent in separate bottles.

Please do not connect the application to power before the Paint is completely dry.

Answers to FAQs & Guide Notes:

  1. Yes, you can paint over it, but wait till the conductive paint is completely dry and ready to take the other paint that you wish to apply. The surface of this paint, when dried, may not take water based paints comfortably. You may use a hair dryer to speed up curing.
  2. Yes, you can scratch off extra paint. It is easier to do that when the surface on which the paint has been applied is impervious.
  3. If desired, a cut can be made in the painted trace/line/surface to break conductivity/connection. Check for a clean and a proper break.
  4. Yes, you can repaint to establish connectivity at points that have been scratched off or cracked by mistake. In fact that is precisely what this paint was developed for. To touch up scratched/broken connections on PCBs.
  5. If the application is on fabric or rubber etc., materials that are flexible, the paint may not stay for long time as the bending will crack the applied paint. However, it can be used in such situations for testing connectivity & experimentation etc. Note that this was designed to repair circuits on PC Boards which are rigid.
  6. No, you cannot mix colors in it as additional pigment or anything added, will change its conductivity.
  7. Do not add solvent as a thinning agent unless the paint becomes thick, and difficult to use due to evaporation. Diluting just to make it more fluid can change its conductive properties. Some dilution has been done to compensate for drying during storage.
  8. In case of a special need, where thicker paint is needed, transfer a few drops of paint in a bottle cap or some other small container. Wait a few minutes before applying. That allows time for the paint to become thicker.
  9. The solvent provided can also be used to clean dropped paint or similar tasks. However, due to the metallic powder in the paint, the mark may not clean completely.
  10. Shake well before every use and keep the bottles tightly closed.

Buy Conductive Paint

Solder5

Use as a quick workable alternative to soldering when and where a soldering iron cannot be conveniently used. For example near plastic parts. Hard to reach insides of passenger cars or locos.

Supplied with a small amount of solvent. Other technical details same as Conductive paint shown above. This is a stronger, more viscous version of the Conductive Paint with a stronger bonding agent used as a base. Please read about Conductive Paint above for general common information.

We advise you to add 4-5 drops of the solvent into the Solder5 to make it easier to mix. You may need more, but remember that the more you add, the longer it will take to dry and more fluid it will become.

Shake until the color is uniform. The solids settle down in a very dense layer and it takes some time to do it. So the more you shake it, the better result you will get. It will need a few minutes of stirring/shaking, initially and every time you apply. The contents settle down very fast.

Dries slowly and cures in 24 hours for full physical strength, at normal room temperature. You may use a hair dryer on a low/warm setting for quicker drying/curing.

Use a toothpick, needle or some other device to apply. It should not be applied to a painted item as it would dissolve into it. For wider "brush" type application, cut a strip of desired width from a plain  white business card and use that as an applicator.

Please do not connect the application to power before Solder5 is completely dry.

Available in a convenient size. Package contains 1/4 oz. wt. Solder5 and its Solvent/Thinner in separate bottles

  • Ready to use.
  • Thinning may reduce performance or eliminate properties.
  • Shake well before every use and keep the bottles tightly closed.
  • ROHS Compliant
  • Keep airtight in a dry dark environment.

Q from Peter:
1. Would Solder5 work with track connectors to ensure good conductivity?
2. Would it prevent oxidation in the connectors?
3. And would it be possible to disengage track sections without damage after Solder5 is used?

Ans:
1. Yes. Once you have connected, just coat over them. Keep it away from the top of the rail.
2. Yes. Only the part they cover, will be protected.
3. Yes. It is not that strong, but you may have to score it with a blade to make a starter crack if it is stuck tightly.
If you prefer to cover a larger area, you could use Conductive Paint for such tasks, and where strength is not that important.


Solder5 in our Quick Help Guide:

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Click here to Download PDF		 Click for Guide to Solder5
 Buy Solder5

Conductive Thread

Discontinued Item. (If you are a previous buyer of this item and you need a small quantity to finish your project, please contact us with your direct email and your purchase date etc. We may have some available.)



Product Safety Warning Sign Information Guide
Hazardous ingredients in
Conductive Paint and Solder5:
 Nickel, Toluene, Ethyl alcohol, Ethyl acetate, 2-heptanone, 2-methylproply ester acetic acid, 2-propanone, 2-propanol, 1-methoxy-2 propanone acetate
Hazards Identification:


WHMIS Codes:
 B2
 D2A
    

NFPA Ratings: Health: 1   Flammability: 3 Reactivity: 0
HMIS Ratings:
 Health: 1
 Flammability: 1
 Reactivity: 0
Eyes:
 Liquid in contact with eyes may cause permanent eye damage.
Skin:
 May cause skin irritation and possible pain and stinging if the skin is abraded.
Inhalation:
 Solvents may cause respiratory tract irritation, headache, and possible dizziness.
Ingestion:
 May cause respiratory and digestive tract irritation.
Chronic:
 Prolonged and repeated exposure may cause dermatitis, defatting of the skin, liver and kidney damage, and adverse central nervous system effects.
First Aid Measures:


Eyes:
 Remove contact lenses. Flush with water or saline for 20 minutes. Get medical aid.
Skin:
 Wash skin with large amounts of soap and water. Get medical aid if symptoms persist.
Inhalation:
 Immediately remove from exposure to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get medical aid.
Ingestion:
 Do not induce vomiting. If conscious, give 1-2 glasses of water. Get medical aid.
Exposure Controls:


Routes of Entry:
 Eyes, ingestion, inhalation, and skin.
Ventilation:
 Use adequate general or local exhaust ventilation to keep airborne concentrations below exposure limits.
Personal Protection:
 Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical safety goggles. Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin contact. Use a NIOSH approved respirator when necessary.




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