Reply to "Coloring the centerrail"

I think gargraves track is some type of electroplating since the center rail carries the current.  I painted my tracks with Rustoleum's camouflage brown and wiped the tops clean before the paint cured with mineral spirits. Your friend can do the same with his tubular track. If he wants only the center rail colored black,  then he'll need to remove the rail and paint it separately then replace it on the ties, making sure he insulates it. Or do a lot of masking of the outside rails and ties.