Originally Posted by
Jeremey
So how does the orange compound bar codes compare to the blue compound?
I tried the gold compound last winter (indoor) and they worked ok when the track was still damp but the dirt dries out quickly and by the mains gold does not work. Same with Panther switches. Pink taper pins are the best choice at that point but I would love to find an alternative as they don't last long, any chance blue or orange would work comparably?
What is the surface like? I believe that Orange is a bit harder than the Blue.
At SmacTrac, it is hard packed clay and Bar Codes do the same when they are left at full height. We have found that "ghosting" the blue and orange Bar Codes work the best. Grind them with a dremel until they are just a step above slicks. Try it with an old set first to find out, but make sure that the inserts are still in good shape. As long as you do not get a dusting over the surface, they should work. You will also be amazed at how well the ghosted Bar Codes work on a wet packed track.