CONTACT CLEANER

[JeremyB]

does anybody have any advice that i can use, im looking for a contact cleaner that can be used in the middle of my op-sessions when I don't want to stop what im doing to clean track,got any products that can be used.
Thanks Alot

[Anonymous]

I am fairly new to this forum, but I am a little curious as to why you don't have a responce to this. I am trying a product written up in I think MR. It is called MAAS a polishing cream for all metals. I have also tried BRASSO. So far so good however I am a little concerned about residue. I have aso found that you will have some discoloring on your ties. This stuff cleans and shines good.
Thanks Frank

[Sperandeo]

I like a product called Miracle No-Ox Track Cleaner, from Craftsman Specialty Supply, 6567 Forty-Mile Point, Rogers City, MI 49779, phone [phone], or 517-734-3312. It's been around for a while – it was first recommended in MODEL RAILROADER by then-editor Linn Westcott.

Good luck,

Andy

Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine

[Anonymous]

I have many cleaners in my arsenal, including liquids, very expensive aero products, brite boy , the $99.00 Tony's clean machine and the paste"MAAS"

This $3.00 paste, written up in MR a few months back is superior to all of the above and I guarantee it.

Now my Tony's clean machine is parked on a siding,
for lease or for sale, not needed anymore.

Excellent for cleaning wheels.
www.massinc.com

[Anonymous]

Hey - how do you apply and polish MAAS Thanks Frank

[Anonymous]

I take a small block of wood, like the size of an brite boy, or the brite boy.
Wrap a strip of T-shirt material around it. Apply the MAAS to the material and drag across the top of the rail heads.
Do not let it dry and follow up with an untreated
T-shirt material block.

You may also clean you wheels by laying across the rails treated t-shirt material.

Place one powered truck on the treated material and the other powered truck on rail head, power up and
spin clean.
Then treat the second truck.
Put down untreated t-shirt material on the track
to wipe off the MAAS before it dries.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

[Anonymous]

I began trying the MAAS on the D&J Railroad and after several hours and a lot of messy white toned ties, I decided to go back to the Tony's clean machine and some cheap paint thinner. No doubt, the MAAS does leave clean rails, but for the amount of time I spent cleaning up the MAAS, I would prefer to run the clean machine in a train and not have to do the focused track cleaning work. Even though the D&J Railroad is all very accessable track, there is just to much of it to hand rub. Even the thought of inviting an operating crew over for an evening of track cleaning would be equivalent to dusting the attic. I wouldn't get a lot of volunteers nor would I want to do it for someone else.

Ken, D&J Railroad, Stafford, VA

[Anonymous]

I use Flitz metal polish on my track. You use it just like the MAAS. It leaves no residue and is non-toxic! It's been two months since I polished and still no wheel gunk or oxidation.

Terry
Arlington, TX

[Anonymous]

The trick here is to use a small block of wood,similar to the size of brite boy piece, treated MAAS t-shirt material.

That way the block rides only the rail head and does not overlap or fall between the rails.

Anything out of reach or more then 200', I too, would used my Tony's clean machine.

I don't think there's a better mechanical cleaner than Tony's.

[Anonymous]

i use a combination of goo gone and centerline track cleaning cars, with whals clipper oil. once the track is clean a few drops of oil will spread itself around the layout. if you experience any problems while you are operating just add a few drops of oil and that should help. however nothing works as well as continued cleaning maintainence, thiis includes cleaning your locomotive wheels regularly. after every operating session i take all my locos and clean the wheels before the next session. the whals oil is electrically conductive and will not gum up if used in small amounts. good luck

[Anonymous]

I too did use Goo Gone, centerline but still have
whals clipper oil as an electrical enhancer. Cheap enough and I think it works as you stated"a few drops"

[Anonymous]

Jeremy, the wide diversity of answers above only PARTLY sums up the track cleaning debate.

This debate has been going on for at least 60 years.
There are several other ways not yet mentioned above...and each of those has had strong support from some of the most serious and respected names in the hobby.
These methods ?..they are all correct....and if you read enough diverse opinions, they are all incorrect...so you're best to try a few, until you find one that works for you...."everything else is just details"..
regards / Mike

[Budliner]

for realy bad track I use catsup
its acid and it will not mark the track

[pbjwilson]

I use a paint product called "Dull n' Bond. It is a chemical deglosser used in painting. It has toluene in it so it's pretty potent. Swab some on your Athearn motors and they run smooth as silk. A small amount on a rag and a quick wipe of the track and its clean. Toss your rags outthe back door at the end of your operating session, spontaneous combustion hazard!

Paul the Painter
"the fumes are gettin to me"