A kinda stupid question...

[Anonymous]

I heard from someone that WD-40 does a great job on most rails for cleaning, but if used with lionel rails, the coating from it would short out the middle rail. Is this true, and if so, is there another way to safely clean it?
Any help would be appreciated! [:)]

[Anonymous]

I heard from someone that WD-40 does a great job on most rails for cleaning, but if used with lionel rails, the coating from it would short out the middle rail. Is this true, and if so, is there another way to safely clean it?
Any help would be appreciated! [:)]

[tmackinator]

Although the wd-40 will not short the track, it is a silicone based product that will leave a slippery film on the rail surface. A better choice would be denatured alcohol which will evaporate quickly. For stubborn deposits a kitchen sponge with a scruffy side or the grey scotch brite pads do a nice job. Do not use steel wool as it leaves conductive particles behind.-T.M

[tmackinator]

Although the wd-40 will not short the track, it is a silicone based product that will leave a slippery film on the rail surface. A better choice would be denatured alcohol which will evaporate quickly. For stubborn deposits a kitchen sponge with a scruffy side or the grey scotch brite pads do a nice job. Do not use steel wool as it leaves conductive particles behind.-T.M

[tmackinator]

Although the wd-40 will not short the track, it is a silicone based product that will leave a slippery film on the rail surface. A better choice would be denatured alcohol which will evaporate quickly. For stubborn deposits a kitchen sponge with a scruffy side or the grey scotch brite pads do a nice job. Do not use steel wool as it leaves conductive particles behind.-T.M

[tmackinator]

Although the wd-40 will not short the track, it is a silicone based product that will leave a slippery film on the rail surface. A better choice would be denatured alcohol which will evaporate quickly. For stubborn deposits a kitchen sponge with a scruffy side or the grey scotch brite pads do a nice job. Do not use steel wool as it leaves conductive particles behind.-T.M

[lionelsoni]

WD40 does not contain silicone. It is mineral oil dissolved in a solvent. You can see its material safety data sheet at www.dek.com/data/wd-40.pdf . The film it leaves will be the dissolved oil, which is enough reason not to use it. You might as well just use mineral spirits for cleaning.

[lionelsoni]

WD40 does not contain silicone. It is mineral oil dissolved in a solvent. You can see its material safety data sheet at www.dek.com/data/wd-40.pdf . The film it leaves will be the dissolved oil, which is enough reason not to use it. You might as well just use mineral spirits for cleaning.

[Roger Bielen]

I've had good results using GOO-Gone with a cleaning car pulled by a non-traction tire engine followed by a final going over with denatured alcohlol. The G-G does a good job of getting off the heavy gunk and the alcohol gets off the G-G residue.

[Roger Bielen]

I've had good results using GOO-Gone with a cleaning car pulled by a non-traction tire engine followed by a final going over with denatured alcohlol. The G-G does a good job of getting off the heavy gunk and the alcohol gets off the G-G residue.

[Anonymous]

alcohol will take off paint so beware. Go to a hobby shop and pick up track cleaner (its blue)...aThe other option is something much like an eraser that is sold at hobby stores (made to clean track). Best of luck.
Never use mineral Spirits...I tried that...took of the rust for sure along with the paint and the finish

[Anonymous]

alcohol will take off paint so beware. Go to a hobby shop and pick up track cleaner (its blue)...aThe other option is something much like an eraser that is sold at hobby stores (made to clean track). Best of luck.
Never use mineral Spirits...I tried that...took of the rust for sure along with the paint and the finish

[lionelsoni]

I was afraid that someone would think that I was recommending mineral spirits above. I only meant to point out that cleaning with WD40 was about equivalent to cleaning with mineral spirits. However, if you only wet the rails, there should be no harm, since there is no paint on them.

As I said in the earlier topic "Track Cleaning", started by Aaron Dingus, I like those fuzzy green scouring pads meant for dishwashing. I use one dry. You shouldn't use anything like steel wool because of the danger of getting it into the bearings, especially with magnetraction. I concentrate on cleaning the middle rail. The running rails don't need to be perfectly clean, since there are so many more points of contact through the wheels.

[lionelsoni]

I was afraid that someone would think that I was recommending mineral spirits above. I only meant to point out that cleaning with WD40 was about equivalent to cleaning with mineral spirits. However, if you only wet the rails, there should be no harm, since there is no paint on them.

As I said in the earlier topic "Track Cleaning", started by Aaron Dingus, I like those fuzzy green scouring pads meant for dishwashing. I use one dry. You shouldn't use anything like steel wool because of the danger of getting it into the bearings, especially with magnetraction. I concentrate on cleaning the middle rail. The running rails don't need to be perfectly clean, since there are so many more points of contact through the wheels.

[Anonymous]

Wow, thanx for all the help guys, but one more thing... Whats mineral spirits?[:I]

[Anonymous]

Wow, thanx for all the help guys, but one more thing... Whats mineral spirits?[:I]

[Algonquin]

Mineral Spirits is a thinner used for oil paint or varnish and is available at paint and hardware dtores.

Regards,

Tim Pignatari

[Algonquin]

Mineral Spirits is a thinner used for oil paint or varnish and is available at paint and hardware dtores.

Regards,

Tim Pignatari

[fec153]

I use a track cleaning car with a pad doused with Goo-Gone and push it along the
layout with a heavy loco. Not only cleans the rails,also cleans the wheels.

FEC153

[fec153]

I use a track cleaning car with a pad doused with Goo-Gone and push it along the
layout with a heavy loco. Not only cleans the rails,also cleans the wheels.

FEC153

[yellowducky]

Use Walh hair clipper oil, if you want better electrical conductivity and traction, after cleaning. I bought a small bottle from my barber years ago. I heard Sears has made/sold some similar (probably was made by Walh under the Sears name). I tested both magnitrack and traction tired engines on an adjustable incline with and without loads, up and down, running and from a dead stop; and I'm sold on the use of Walh. Too much can/will cause excessive slippage, but that's usually because of being messy. Tip: keep the bottle in a plastic zip-lock bag and upright!

[yellowducky]

Use Walh hair clipper oil, if you want better electrical conductivity and traction, after cleaning. I bought a small bottle from my barber years ago. I heard Sears has made/sold some similar (probably was made by Walh under the Sears name). I tested both magnitrack and traction tired engines on an adjustable incline with and without loads, up and down, running and from a dead stop; and I'm sold on the use of Walh. Too much can/will cause excessive slippage, but that's usually because of being messy. Tip: keep the bottle in a plastic zip-lock bag and upright!

[Anonymous]

I use Life-Like track cleaner liquid and an old t-shirt. It does do a good job. Just try not to let it spill. OUCH!!!

[Anonymous]

I use Life-Like track cleaner liquid and an old t-shirt. It does do a good job. Just try not to let it spill. OUCH!!!

[overall]

I have used the scotch brite pads and ,believe it or not ,Pink Pearl erasers to clean track before with good results. The Pink Pearls come in handy for dead spots in the track. I have also used them to clean diesel locomotive wheels.

overall

[overall]

I have used the scotch brite pads and ,believe it or not ,Pink Pearl erasers to clean track before with good results. The Pink Pearls come in handy for dead spots in the track. I have also used them to clean diesel locomotive wheels.

overall

[Roger Bielen]

I've had good results with GOO-Gone followed with denatured alcohol (available at hardware stores). I use a magnatraction engine when pulling my cleaning car since the Goo-Gone is said to attack traction tires.

Caution GOO-Gone is flammable, avoid pushing a cleaning car, I've had occasion in the past with a spark igniting the residue on the track. Talk about protypical.

[Roger Bielen]

I've had good results with GOO-Gone followed with denatured alcohol (available at hardware stores). I use a magnatraction engine when pulling my cleaning car since the Goo-Gone is said to attack traction tires.

Caution GOO-Gone is flammable, avoid pushing a cleaning car, I've had occasion in the past with a spark igniting the residue on the track. Talk about protypical.

[Anonymous]

You guys amaze me. Don't use any homemade stuff. Just buy the Lionel track cleaning kit and be SAFE and DONE with it! GEEEEZZ you jobbers.

[Anonymous]

You guys amaze me. Don't use any homemade stuff. Just buy the Lionel track cleaning kit and be SAFE and DONE with it! GEEEEZZ you jobbers.