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cleaning track

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  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Sunday, September 26, 2010 9:14 PM

mountain

can anybody please tell me what type of alcohol to use to clean track  thank you walter.                                                                    

You need to use 91% alcohol.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Mesa Arizona
  • 341 posts
Posted by mokenarr on Sunday, September 26, 2010 9:11 PM

I just finished a complete cleaning using the Life Like liquid cleaner, stuff works good , i just wrap a thin piece of cloth around my finger , soak it with the stuff and wipe away.  Sometimes i will use bright boy too.  My n-scale track has been cleaned with bright boy for 25 years and there is no problem caused by either the bright boy or Life Like cleaner.

Old Steam loco's never die, they just lose thier fire.
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Westchester NY
  • 1,747 posts
Posted by retsignalmtr on Sunday, September 26, 2010 8:03 PM

I no longer use a bright boy abrasive block to clean my rails. I have some leftover cork that I glue to some pieces of 1" X 1" lumber and use it to wipe rails when needed. When the cork gets dirty I sand it a little until clean and when it wears down I toss it. I also use some blue liquid from LifeLike with a rag to go over the rails after the cork. When running trains I have several John allen style masonite wiper cars and run one in each train.

  • Member since
    May 2007
  • From: North Myrtle Beach, SC
  • 995 posts
Posted by Beach Bill on Sunday, September 26, 2010 7:05 PM

Why use alcohol?   Alcohol, if spilled, may well alter the appearance of any painted surfaces nearby.

I just occasionally use a "bright boy" abrasive block.  I have found it helpful to then wipe the rail surface with a soft cloth wrapped tightly around my finger (I use a piece of flannel).  This wipes off some of the grit and oil that has been loosened by the bright boy.   I have nickel-silver rail, which is less prone to needing cleaning than brass, but it still gets an assembly of dust & grease on it that prompts a cleaning once in awhile.

I recognize that there are some track  Those that do, use isopropal.

Bill 

With reasonable men, I will reason; with humane men I will plead; but to tyrants I will give no quarter, nor waste arguments where they will certainly be lost. William Lloyd Garrison
  • Member since
    July 2010
  • 15 posts
cleaning track
Posted by mountain on Sunday, September 26, 2010 6:58 PM

can anybody please tell me what type of alcohol to use to clean track  thank you walter.                                                                    

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