Need some track cleaning tips

[Frank53]

I seem to recall reading that WD-40 is commonly used for cleaning track rails. Do I remember this correctly, or am I about to blow up my house?

[ben10ben]

Frank,
I wouldn't suggest it.

My new favorite all-purpose organic solvent is Ronsonol lighter fluid. It's basically highly purified naptha. This means that it can dissolve almost all oils, and evaporates very cleanly. Because of its combustible nature, though, I'd suggest making sure it's completely dry before running electricity through anything. 

You can also use denatured alcohol or isopropyl alcohol.

[Dave Farquhar]

WD-40 won't blow anything up but it won't do all that much to clean anything either, and it'll hurt your traction. Virtually any household cleaner on a paper towel will do at least as good of a job on the dirt and won't leave an oily residue behind. For heavy dirt and light rust, I like Bar Keeper's Friend.

For just dirt, the cleaners Ben mentioned will do a nice job on loose track. 

[RR Redneck]

Acme pads work wonders.

[Kooljock1]

One of these: http://www.tonystrains.com/gallery/cmx/cmx-o-04.htm With Ben's lighter fluid in the tank! Run some cars between the cleaner and the engine, and keep a fire extinguisher handy! Jon

[chuck]

70% Isopropyl Alcohol and Microfiber Cleaning cloths.

http://www.framingsupplies.com/3M/3MScotchBrite.htm 

[rlplionel]

When I first started out in the hobby, I went to my local toy train hobby shop looking for track cleaner. The shop was out of it, but the person behind the counter advised me to saturate a rag with Windex glass cleaner and wipe the rails clean, then follow-up with a dry rag to get any remaining residue. He told me that commercial track cleaner was reformulated Windex sold in a fancy package. So that's how I've been cleaning tinplate track for the past 30 years. It works well for me.

[Cheese]

 

I usually use my LGB Track Cleaning Block after using at my old job (you old timers know, I told you before) on the Fastrak on the Display Layout with a little bit of Goo Gone or Rubbing Acohol.

Goo Gone works better than the Alchohol even though the Alchohol has that certain smell that makes you know the track is disinfected, even though its the dirt you are after I sometimes go over the track twice with Goo Gone and if I'm really feeling dangerous I go over it once with Alcohol as well.

Cheese

[LS1Heli]

Back in the day I used to use only rubbing alcohol.

However, I now use only Goo Gone available at Target or Walmart. This stuff is awesome. I take a clean rag, "juice" it up with some Goo Gone and rub over the track....the BEST, least harmful/toxic stuff out there (I have tried it all trust me). Made from real oranges.

[Frank53]

Thanks for the tips. I'll probably try both isopropyl and goo-gone and see which I like better.

[chuck]

Some of the "dirt" is actually the oxidation of the tin plate.  Tin oxide is a little slippery, dark grey in color and is conductive.  Whatever you do, don't use a harsh abbrassive, aka anything that will remove the tin plating.

[ChiefEagles]

I've always used denatured alcohol [not rubbing] and a cloth.  Will do the same on this nickel silver track.  On the old tublar tack when I had the big basement layout and it was not used for a while, rub it with a track eraser [found an old one the other day in some things I had stored].

[M1Tanker]

Really?  Goo gone?

[yallaen]

Amen to the Goo Gone! I used it to clean up the O22 switches I got off Ebay..and it worked fantastic!

A local hobby store told me this as well: If you have some slightly rusty (not pitted) track, put them in a pail of Pine Sol. Give it about 4 hours, then wash off and dry really well. The Pine Sol doesnt eat anything but gets rid of the rust. Anyone else hear of that? I'm gonna try it tomorrow...

[mickey4479]

I used alcohol on a rag at one time, but now I use Goo Gone and rags.  I have a brass track cleaning car for the hard to get to areas.  I also use goo gone and cloth or cue tips to clean the wheels on my locos and rolling stock as well.