Clipper Oil

[trainnut1250]

JDL56

Oiling the tracks is one of those things that can produced a polarized discussion. To each his or her own, I say. But I have used Wahl clipper oil successfully for over 15 years, maybe longer. In that time, I have never had to clean my tracks or wheels.

http://cprailmmsub.blogspot.ca/2009/09/to-oil-or-not-oil-tracksthat-is.html 

John Longhurst, Winnipeg

 

 

Yep, It sure is polarizing. I resisted oil for years as my local train buddies extolled its virtues. I finally broke down and tried it. Not a magic bullet, but it does improve running enough for me to continue to use it.

I also agree with the opinion that a clean environment in the train room helps quite a bit. I clean my track before every ops session with cmx/acetone and dragger cars.

Each cleaning after scenery work seems to last a little longer in terms of keeping the trains running stall free.

 

Guy

[cudaken]

Geared Steam

Run trains and keep a dustfree environment.

 OK Gear Steam, so to run the layout I cannot be in the layout room? 80% of dust is dead human skin cells! I all so run trains 2 hours or so everyday, how long and offten do I need to run them?

 

Geared Steam

Oil attracts dust, sorry, applying it to rails doesn't magically change that fact.

 I real have to wonder what causes the problem, but I don't think it is dust. Dust is not black, but when I clean engine wheels (before I wasted my time with ATF) what came off the wheels was black in color? Hum, could it be maybe carbon?

 Cuda Ken

 

[Geared Steam]

Most of my track is nickle silver i do have some brass switches and steel sidings would a thin layer of clipper oil help keep the track cleaner?

Thank you 

 

   waste of time, oil and money.

Run trains and keep a dustfree environment.

Oil attracts dust, sorry, applying it to rails doesn't magically change that fact.

Apply oil to your lawn mower air filter, keep it away from the layout.

 

[rrinker]

 I only did step 3 of the gleam process and never cleaned the track again.

                       --Randy

 

[JDL56]

Oiling the tracks is one of those things that can produced a polarized discussion. To each his or her own, I say. But I have used Wahl clipper oil successfully for over 15 years, maybe longer. In that time, I have never had to clean my tracks or wheels.

http://cprailmmsub.blogspot.ca/2009/09/to-oil-or-not-oil-tracksthat-is.html 

John Longhurst, Winnipeg

[cudaken]

RR Baron

The purpose of Wahl Clipper Oil is to slow the oxidation of the brass rail and help reduce electrical arcing, which pits rail. Depending on the type contaminates in the air, clipper oil if not very, very thinly applied can contribute to more frequent need for cleaning. Using Wahl Clipper Oil on nickel silver track is a waste of time and money.

 While I have seen whal clipper oil, I have been using ATF for about 7 months. Here is a link to my orginal post.

 http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/263149.aspx

 RR Baron If you read my post I run my layout everyday for two hours pr more. Did not keep the rails / engines wheels clean. I was even running track cleaning cars on every train and I usually run 4 trains on two lines at the same time!

 After using ATF I have only clean the engines wheels maybe 6 times? So far no side effects unless, well I get a little carried a way and I have 2 times.

 I have just a little bit of brass track (1%) out of 300 feet of HO scale Track. After ATF it was like I had a whole new layout!

 KH25 While ATF is not cliper oil and I donot know how or why ATF works, for me it does!

 Later, Cuda Ken

 PS Herrion Chocker (fellow member and friend) gave it a try after my post and his results where as good as mine.

[AntonioFP45]

Kh25, guys

Just trying to help but, believe it or not, the experimental "Gleam" method posted years back by forum member "Semaphore" does work as far as track cleaning maintenance and improving electrical conductivity. When done, there's no oil or grimy residue to deal with and the times between track cleaning sessions are much further apart. Additionally, the tops of the rails themselves yield a prototype-like reflectivity.

Here it is:

 QUOTE: (Originally posted by Semafore)

"A ONE-TIME PROCESS. DO ALL TRACK!!

1] On an appropriate-sized block, use 400 wet/dry paper to remove the extrusion milling left on the rail heads. The block must span both rails.

2] Now use 600 or finer, repeat process.

3] Using an appropriate-sized STAINLESS-STEEL piece, apply moderate pressure and BURNISH the rails. The more you slide back and forth, the smoother and shinier the rails become! [ the GLEAM part ]. This is because you have removed the ridges, bumps, and pits. Burnishing helps seal pores with metal, eliminating traps for dirt and tarnish; almost like a MIRROR!

4] Use BLUE MAGIC or equivalent metal polish to deep-clean the remaining contaminates.

5] Last, buff the rails to your eye's content!

The shine is 5x more lustrous than just polish alone. The wax left behind is minimal, is not insulating, and virtually eliminates rail cleaning.

AND REMEMBER; NO MORE ABRASIVES...EVER!!!!!!
Or you'll just ruin your mirror finish, and will have to gleam and wax AGAIN!
Dry-wipe with paper towel or cotton. You can always polish anytime; wipe away excess.

I've had DCC and DC locos/lash-ups creep at a scale 3-5MPH around the staging level loop 100' with NO STALL or FALTER.  Gotta love it "

End of quote.

 

[SeeYou190]

Bayfield Transfer Railway

Actually RUN trains? That's just crazy talk!

.

I am dreaming of the day... I have been without a layout for only a few months... and it will probably be about 36 months before I have one again...

.

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When I have one again... I will run my trains all the time... and my track will always be clean... So I declare on this day!

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-Kevin

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[Bayfield Transfer Railway]

Actually RUN trains?  That's just crazy talk!

 

[BRAKIE]

riogrande5761

Ah...  Clipper oil rears it's ugly head once again! 

Runs and hides.

 

Hear! Hear!

Run trains and worry less about cleaning track..

Now it's my turn to run and hide.

[riogrande5761]

Ah...  Clipper oil rears it's ugly head once again! 

Runs and hides.

[RR Baron]

 

The purpose of Wahl Clipper Oil is to slow the oxidation of the brass rail and help reduce electrical arcing, which pits rail.

Depending on the type contaminates in the air, clipper oil if not very, very thinly applied can contribute to more frequent need for cleaning.  Using Wahl Clipper Oil on nickel silver track is a waste of time and money.

 

RR Baron

 

[Medina1128]

A lot depends on the environment of your layout room. ANY oil based substance will leave a film that will attract dust. I vote no. I agree with the previous comment about running trains is the best way to keep your track clean. Periodically (once every couple of months) I run a train using Woodland Scenics "Dust Monkeys ^©". They just clip to the axles of cars. On the lead car, I soak them with rubbing alcohol and leave the ones on the other car dry. I push them around the layout until I cover every part of the layout. Afterwards, I rinse them out with rubbing alcohol and set them back on the track until needed again. I have a basement sized layout and it takes about 45 minutes.

[SeeYou190]

I used Wahl Clipper Oil on my first layout, N scale, back in the 1980s. I have never used it since, heck, I have never even seen it since. Not that I have been looking for it.

.

The Masonite block under a boxcar, and frequently running trains, seems to work just fine.

.

-Kevin

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[j. c.]

i've used whal oil for over 35 years  it seems to help with electrical contact , the by word is very little i put about 10 or so drops on  a macsonite block under a car then run it once before a prolonged gap in opperating.

[Bayfield Transfer Railway]

The best way to keep the track clean is to run trains.  Seriously.

I know somebody whose layout has stretches of 50 year old brass track.  He runs multiple op sessions per week and virtually never has to clean track.

 

[BigDaddy]

There was a recent extensive discussion about ATF (transmission fluid) on tracks.  There is a search box on the right side of this page around the middle.

There are also fans of DeOxit, and CRC 2-26, also recent discussions. 

Me?  I use clipper oil on my hair clippers and ATF in my transmission.  I might try the CRC

 

[kh25]

Most of my track is nickle silver i do have some brass switches and steel sidings would a thin layer of clipper oil help keep the track cleaner?

Thank you