Got yet another one for my Forum friends: I'm looking for people's opinions on using DeOxIt. I thought about getting some to improve my track conductivity and using it on some of my engine wheels as they never want to stay clean. I'm also wondering if I should use the wipes or the liquid or even both. As usual, any assistance that can be provided would be most welcomed.
What I see people using, mostly with modest success, is 'No-Ox" or very close to that. Your product, if it's the same, will possibly help. Possibly.
I think you should clean your tracks with lacquer thinner, and clean your tires with the same product. From there, you have something else going on if you still get gunk on your pickup wheels. Or you have stalls and decoder restarts frequently. Maybe your joiners are not making good contact, or you don't have enough feeders, or they're not connected well....something.
FRRYKidI'm looking for people's opinions on using DeOxIt.
This is the DeOxIt I bought about 4 years ago:
https://www.amazon.com/CAIG-LABORATORIES-D100L-25C-Contact-Cleaner/dp/B0000YH6F8/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=deoxit&qid=1613460165&sr=8-8
I find many more uses for it besides the railroad. Any time I replace a battery I put a tiny drop on both contacts. All audio and TV cable connections get a drop, especially outdoors.
I don't use it at all as a rail treatment. As Selector does, I simply keep wheels and rail clean. I will use it at contact points in locomotives and lighted passenger cars. It is ideal for lubing the axle points on Walthers passenger cars with metal truck sideframes. I use it on motor bearings, too. I believe it is a step up from CRC 2-26. It had better be for $30/oz.
I had some audio equipment with noisy pots and this stuff cleared that up right away.
https://caig.com/product/deoxit-d100l-25c/
IMHO, I wouldn't find the "wipes" a practical solution for any of my uses.
Rail/wheel cleanliness seems more of an environment issue rather than the track or wheels themselves.
Good Luck, Ed
De-Ox-It is NOT A CONDUCTIVE LUBE. It only incidentally helps with electrical continuity.
I am still waiting for my samples of 'conductive lube' to test -- I have not forgotten. But 'real' conductive lube is "loaded" with conductive material and is very expensive... not on the scale it will be used on a layout, true, but eyewateringly expensive by the ounce.
Clean and ideally gleam the layout before applying any top-of-rail treatment.
If you use any of the electrical lubes, apply sparingly and use an appropriate 'applicator' both to put it on and agitate/scrub the surface to dislodge crud. Only the thinnest film is needed to do any real job; a thicker layer just attracts dust and crud and makes a mess.