Gleaming Vintage American Flyer Track

[richhotrain]

I constantly clean my vintage American Flyer track with denatured alcohol, but the black streaks are always there when I clean the track again a few weeks later.  And, the metal pick up wheels on my engines are totally black as well, so I use a Bright Boy eraser to clean the wheels as well.

Would gleaming be a more long-term solution? 

Can someone explain the steps involved in gleaming the track?

Thanks.

Rich

[gunrunnerjohn]

Can you tell us what "gleaming" is?  I confess, never heard that term.

[Darth Santa Fe]

"Gleaming" is a method that came up in the MRR forums a few years back. It involves lots of burnishing and buffing, filling every tiny pit in the track until it's completely smooth and shines like a mirror. Because of the perfect smoothness, cleaning becomes minimal afterward.

The original topic can be found here: http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/53843/681444.aspx

To improve operation even further, automatic transmition fluid can be used on the rails. The May 2011 Model Railroader gives an explanation on pages 58 and 59. The fluid is conductive, so even when dirty, reliable electrical contact is still made.

[richhotrain]

Darth Santa Fe

"Gleaming" is a method that came up in the MRR forums a few years back. It involves lots of burnishing and buffing, filling every tiny pit in the track until it's completely smooth and shines like a mirror. Because of the perfect smoothness, cleaning becomes minimal afterward.

The original topic can be found here: http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/53843/681444.aspx

To improve operation even further, automatic transmition fluid can be used on the rails. The May 2011 Model Railroader gives an explanation on pages 58 and 59. The fluid is conductive, so even when dirty, reliable electrical contact is still made.

That is it !

Think gleaming would prevent the black smear buildup on the rails?

Rich

[richhotrain]

Polishing is the final step in the original gleam process and is accomplished using a metal polish. Most often recommended is Flitz's Metal Polish and Mom's Mag Wheel Polish. Flitz is getting a little hard to find but the Mom's polish is usually available at Wal-Mart and auto parts stores.

Rich

[gunrunnerjohn]

Sounds like a lot of work.