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Track corrosion from cat you-know-what

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  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Shawnee Hill Country, IL
  • 134 posts
Posted by ShawneeHawk on Sunday, December 20, 2020 10:07 PM
This evening, I worked on a piece of the flextrack with some baking soda mixed with water, and scrubbed with an old toothbrush. I washed the rails off, and dried with a hairdryer set on low heat. It did get some of the corrosion. I will reassess in the morning. I look for more improvement when the brass bristles arrive.
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Shawnee Hill Country, IL
  • 134 posts
Posted by ShawneeHawk on Monday, December 21, 2020 12:30 PM

This morning, I checked the piece of flex track and turnout that I worked on yesterday evening with the baking soda and toothbrush. The corrosion is completely gone from the turnout and only visible in a couple of places on the flex track. So I believe this method is going to work. Come on and get here, brass brushes! I only have 5 more turnouts and around 40 pieces of flex track to go, lol.

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Shawnee Hill Country, IL
  • 134 posts
Posted by ShawneeHawk on Monday, January 25, 2021 12:49 PM

 Not sure what I did, but apparently deleted the post from earlier today.  The brass brushes are indeed the ticket but did not arrive until January 15.  I mixed baking soda with water to a toothpaste like consistency, scrubbed the track with the brushes, then rinsed with water.  I dried the track with a hairdyer on low heat, but high fan.  It is working great. Some of the more corroded pieces took a second cleaning.  I have cleaned all of the affected turnouts, and 25 pieces of the track.  I only have about 20 to go, lol. So I'm going to try posting a pic of the cat pee flextrack, along with some cleaned pieces. 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Shawnee Hill Country, IL
  • 134 posts
Posted by ShawneeHawk on Monday, January 25, 2021 7:10 PM
So I have lots to learn about posting photos here. I've tried to fix it 3 times and am done for now, lol.
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Shawnee Hill Country, IL
  • 134 posts
Posted by ShawneeHawk on Monday, January 25, 2021 7:26 PM
 corrodedrail by Gary Hamilton, on Flickr
  • Member since
    March 2020
  • 86 posts
Posted by FlattenedQuarter on Monday, January 25, 2021 7:39 PM
NAPA battery terminal cleaner? If a cat pees on a railroad and nobody is around, is it.................

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