I've been hesitant to post this, but it's way past time to get some feedback on addressing the problem. Before I get too much flak, it has been a rough few years. My wife and life partner of almost 29 years was diagnosed with lymphoma, fought like crazy for 2 years, knocked it into remission twice, then passed after receiving a stem cell transplant that was supposed to "cure" it. That was 3 years ago. I have been in depression since, and have turned to my outdoor hobbies (hiking, canoeing, gardening) to cope. I'm not looking for pity, but explaining what led up to this situation. Earlier this year, I started to get back into my HO trains. No permanent layout, just a 8 x 16 test loop with sidings that's been up for way too long. We had a large box of 3 cases of brand new Peco code 83 flex track, and around 50 new turnouts. We had one cat in the basement for mice, then she had kittens and they multiplied. I was unable to catch around 4 of them. Needless to say, they had found their way into my track box and peed. This created a bluish green corrosion on the track. Only around 6 of the turnouts were affected, but half of the flex track was. My question is what is the most effective method of removing this corrosion? My initial thought was a Bright Boy, but I want to avoid scratching the track up if I can help it. I read in an earlier thread that white vinegar might work, but the search function on this forum does not seem to be what it used to. Google also turned up little.
This could have been much worse. My DCC equipment, locos, and rolling stock are all fine. The cats are gone, except for the momma, who has always used the litter box.
Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Gary
Hi there. I would say it depends a lot on the condition of the track. I would start by rubbing it with alcohol and see if that works. It's the most gentle treatment, so that's why I would start there. If the corrosion is deeper, you might have to use something like Bright Boy or an extra fine sandpaper. You might have to go through a couple of grades to achieve that shiny look.
Simon
I would find a long tray of some kind.
Go to Walgreens and buy about 10 containers of hydrogen peroxide. It's cheap.
Soak the Flex track overnight and wipe the rails with a terry-cloth the next day.
That stuff was the only thing that took nicotine stains off my fingers when I smoked. I don't have any experience or proof that this will work for your track but if it was my situation that is what I would try first.
I wish you the best of luck with that one Gary
TF
I got that same greenish patina on my nickle silver track from using MicroEngineering's liquid blackener or darkener - which I was hoping would match the deep brown of their pre-weathered flex track. it does not. There is no evidence that MicroEngineering is peddling kitten pee in a plastic bottle but there may be some similarities.
The chemical means suggested by others for addressing the patina should be tried of course. However since my track is laid and ballasted I am reluctant to introduce more liquid onto the roadbed. I have a set of scratchbrushes -- almost like retractable pencils but with strands of brass, steel and fibreglass. The brass is a softer metal than the nickle silver and thus I'd try that (a brass wire brush in a Dremel turns too fast and would likely melt whatever plastic nubbins hold the rail to the tie).
Dave Nelson
Now that made perfect sense to me Mike!
I now would have to go along with that one and try vinegar in the tray and wipe the rails the next morning
This is turning out to be a Great Thread!
I'm thinking about capturing some cat pee in the Future to accelerate the weathering of things to achieve a quicker patina
Lastspikemike Track fiddler This is turning out to be a Great Thread! I'm thinking about capturing some cat pee in the Future to accelerate the weathering of things to achieve a quicker patina TF May I recommend against capturing the actual cat. Obtaining just its pee would be a little easier.
Track fiddler This is turning out to be a Great Thread! I'm thinking about capturing some cat pee in the Future to accelerate the weathering of things to achieve a quicker patina TF
May I recommend against capturing the actual cat. Obtaining just its pee would be a little easier.
The ice is broken now.
Do I have to scare the cat first Mike before I tuck that 3 foot tray I was going to use to soak the track underneath the cat?
Vinegar causes corrosion does it not? If you soak it for a period of time, you might want to try it with a small piece of track first.
But what if the cat didn't pee on the small piece of track?
My problem is I have a boat load of PECO Flex Track.
But I don't own any cats!
I'm sorry I just could not resist that one!
Please carry on with the thread as it is a good one
Words that should be never used in the same sentence are: CATS and MODEL RAILROADING. why would people torture themselves?
GSA method for cleaning nickel silver:
https://www.gsa.gov/technical-procedures/general-method-cleaning-nickel-silver?Form_Load=88331
I think I would try the old baking-soda-and-toothpaste method after soaking the lengths in one of the recommended chemicals. You can pick a more or less abrasive kind of paste, a soft or firm brush, and see if blasting soda (a coarser grit) has any advantage.
Rinse the track very carefully afterward; I'd dry it with a hair dryer on low heat, high air velocity.
And wrap it in 'packs' using something impervious to pee when you put it away again
tatansWords that should be never used in the same sentence are: CATS and MODEL RAILROADING. why would people torture themselves?
I set up an elaborate HO layout around the tree each holiday season.
During the season, every morning when I get up, I judiciously check the track for downed trees or telegraph poles resulting from any overnight kitty mishap.
One morning, a few Christmases ago, I had overdone it a little the night before, and didn't bother to check the track. I started up the train and sat down. Then I heard the sounds of a derailment.
Of all mornings not to check the track, one of the cats decided to throw up on the track. The locomotive ploughed through it and derailed.
Nothing like cleaning cat vomit off of your locomotive, with a hangover.
So to your point, I would say that "humans" and "model railroading" should not be used in the same sentence. Cats are just being cats. It's the humans who don't always know how to balance the two.
tatans Words that should be never used in the same sentence are: CATS and MODEL RAILROADING. why would people torture themselves?
You speak wisely Tatans, ...Now you may run my Village!
Poor Gary my model railroad club host got talked into adopting this FARM CAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do I have to say anymore. I don't think I do but I will anyway.
40 Years of a love of passion Dreamland World got destroyed in less than a week
Since the covid I haven't been to my Railroad Club for a long time.
There's a lot of work to do over there when I return I'll tell you.
Making stuff new is a lot funner than repairing things.
And thinking about things. I don't ever recall any one of my six dogs I owned throughout my life jumping up on the kitchen table let alone the train layout
Urine will corrode almost any metal.
When I was at Boeing, we would have to manufacture replacement structural parts that went under the lavatories for many airliners that were over 10-15 years old. Sometimes people "miss" the toilet and some urine gets on the floor. It would seep down through the cracks between the wall and floor and get onto the structural aluminum. While the airlines would do a good job of cleaning the lavs, the urine would remain on the structure underneath.
Over years of time, the constantly-replenished urine would eat through the (usually) zinc chromate primer and begin to erode away the aluminum itself. In extreme cases, floor supports would wind up looking like those older steel-bodied cars that had been on salted roads for years - you could see right through the thinner sections!
So - cat urine is somewhat acidic (Ph 6.3-6.6 usually). To stop the corrosion, soak it in a baking soda / water solution (Ph of about 8) for a day or two (Do NOT use vinegar, as it, like the cat urine, is acidic, though much more so - Ph about 2.5. Do not expect to neutralize one acid with another acid). Then remove the track, rinse thoroughly with water and allow to dry. Use the brass brushes Dave Nelson suggested to clean the loose corrosion away. The brass bristles will also polish the rails, and you can enhance this using Comet or other abrasive cleaner. Final polish the railhead using a brite boy or fine grit sandpaper.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Thanks for the responses. I'm getting some helpful tips, as well as some much needed humor!
Observations: the corrosion is worse on some pieces than others, and there appears to be some mouse pee splattered in as well, but the track looks salvageable. I did experiment with vinegar rubbed in with a cloth on one of the worst pieces of flex track, and on one of the turnouts. It seems to be working. The hardest place to get to is where the lower sides of the rails meet the ties. I have worked on those areas with an old toothbrush. I used 91% alcohol on one area, and the vinegar seems to be working better on the cat urine. I wiped the ties and rails with cloth after application, but did not think about rinsing. The mouse pee is a little more tarry, and neither method is removing it well. Cats and mice - two of the pleasures of living on a farm.
I may try the baking soda soak next, but need to find a pan long enough. Thanks for the responses and keep them coming, I really appreciate them!
Gary
You can make a long pan from PVC pipe with pipe caps on both ends. Glue the cap on one end and keep the other end removable. You can cut the pipe in half length wise if you want an open pan with the caps glued on both ends.
Mark
Shock Control Of all mornings not to check the track, one of the cats decided to throw up on the track. The locomotive ploughed through it and derailed. Nothing like cleaning cat vomit off of your locomotive, with a hangover.
I didn't know cat vomit could give a locomotive a hangover
Dan
I've always used baking soda to take the acid induced corrosion off of metal battery posts/cables.
- Douglas
Southgate 2I didn't know cat vomit could give a locomotive a hangover Dan
Commas serve a function.
LastspikemikeUrine should be alkaline...
uh-huh
I continue to appreciate the responses. One thing I noted this morning on the piece of flex track that I worked on is that the corrosion near the ties is still there, although improved. This evening, I will work with baking soda and rinsing some. The turnout came clean, if you will pardon the pun.
Please note that the entire track that was affected is not corroded. On some pieces, the corrosion is only for a few inches; on others a foot or more. I do realize this will take me some time to fix, but hey, I need something to keep me off the streets.
The soda will certainly help remove the odor. Mouse caca leaves such an awfull smell! I suppose the cats were not very good at catching mice.
Gary,
I have no ideas on what to do or how to take care of the track but just wanted to express my sympathy for the loss of your wife and the awful effects to you and the family. I, too, lost my wife 3 years ago to lung cancer. Being married for 46 years and suddenly being alone has been hard to handle and I feel for you. All my best.
oldline1
snjroy The soda will certainly help remove the odor. Mouse caca leaves such an awfull smell! I suppose the cats were not very good at catching mice.
Actually, some of my cats are pretty good mousers. After I discovered the cat urine problem in the basement, I relocated the track into the spare bedroom. The upstairs house cats (who do use their litter boxes) are not allowed in this room, as I also keep my self-inflating camping matresses in there, as well as the cat food. Turns out this room is the main mouse hangout. Country living: I can't win. The mouse problem is minimal compared to what the cats in the basement did, but I am declaring total war on the little pests. I also need to invest in a housekeeper, as I cannot keep up with everything.
oldline1 Gary, I have no ideas on what to do or how to take care of the track but just wanted to express my sympathy for the loss of your wife and the awful effects to you and the family. I, too, lost my wife 3 years ago to lung cancer. Being married for 46 years and suddenly being alone has been hard to handle and I feel for you. All my best. oldline1
oldline1, I really appreciate your post, and feel for you as well. Besides my wife, cancer took my dad, his sister, my maternal uncle, and several close friends. I hate cancer with a passion. My best to you, too.
Certainly is a great thread. I used some very old pva glue to glue down my ballast. The pva had turned alkaline. The day after ballasting, I noticed some of the rails had developed a blue green copper oxide (copper sulphate) on them. After some research, I made up a solution of baking soda and used a small brush to paint onto the copper sulphated rails. I focussed on switch rails of turnouts which all came good. There are still a few places that I need to fix but all the turnouts and joins are clean.
Alan Jones in Sunny Queensland (Oz)
So I will definitely be trying the baking soda. The question now is what is the proper ratio of baking soda mixed with water? My brass bristles won't be here for around another week.
ShawneeHawkThe question now is what is the proper ratio of baking soda mixed with water?
Continue to brush as you rinse. Be sure there is no residue of anything left on the track, especially between the rails and tie strip, by the time you're done agitating.
Thanks for that lastspikemike.I might try some more baking soda solution to halt any more corrosion.