Surface finish, and solder are good points. Build quality contrast kinda needs to be stated so we can try to make build observations based in when and what is being produced. (3 years ago, 0-36 for me, great fit....perfect really)
I've mentioned in other threads the finish was closer to PW Marx track which was never as shiney as Lionel new. But for me, so far, most of that Marx hasn't even thought about rusting; looking far brighter and less pitted/ rust spotted than most of my Lionel track of the same era. Lionel track doesn't all exactly match either. There are much less shiney finishes on early Lionel O.
I haven't tried to solder to mine; just slapped a single lock on in place on the small loop. The track does appear galvanized or pickled, etc.. Im not sure it was even oil coated. Maybe a waxy preservative ?(a thin "Cosmoline") for shipping and long term storage.
Treated metals often need the treatment ground away to take solder. GarGraves is the same way. Any other blacked or chemically treated rail might not take solder; gotta grind it till its clean/raw. It's all part of soldering, brazing and welding to maybe have to prep a surface/clean it. I did wipe mine clean with wd-40 or alcohol (& old t-shirt).
These finishes & coatings are great for metal imo. In industrial settings the protective coating is a sign of quality. Common place in military specs. and firearm, tool, and engine part production...Still a pita to clean, I guess, but you know the metal is going to be fresh. WD40 is great for removing these light cozmoline or oil coatings. (it's not actually a lube. the metal will just be cleaned) Other solvents will usually cut it for a wipe too. A heat gun/hair dryer and you can usually melt thick/hardened cosmoline right off.(it dries hard eventually).
Being more exposed to the packaging style, I saw it as reassuring; cleaned as par without recall something "anybody" would do without thought or concerns.
Only time will tell how good the track is as a whole.
