Question on cleaning track

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Next Social Security check, I'm gettin' it!

[cmrproducts]

I use Blue Magic (Wal-Mart) and Mothers mag Wheel Polish (auto parts stores - Wal Mart)

BOB H - Clarion, PA

[jeffrey-wimberly]

QUOTE: Just used a little metal polish on and old piece of HO cork and rubbed on the rails and then buffed the rails again with a clean piece of cork.

What kind of metal polish do you use? I'm taking out stock! Modeler's aer gonna boy that stuff like it's going out of style!

[simon1966]

I am a metal polish advocate as well. I found out about it from this list some time ago and have never even owned a track cleaning car. The only time I use a bright boy type block is to clean the rail heads after painting and ballasting.

[cmrproducts]

It has been 34 months (that's 2 months short of 3 years now) since I have cleaned ANY track on my home layout (and we run OPs sessions every other week)!

I had a Mini OP last month (April) and did not waste time cleaning my track for that and had 24 operators in to run the layout. All of the sound engines ran great (except the Proto switcher - but that is another story)!

Everyone had a good time.

So what is my secret? Metal Polish!

I don’t use sanding sponges or blocks, erasers or any kind of Alcohol, paint thinner, Goo-Gone nor any other liquid. Neither do I use any kind of cleaning car.

Just used a little metal polish on and old piece of HO cork and rubbed on the rails and then buffed the rails again with a clean piece of cork.

Prior to the metal polish I was spending hours cleaning the track to get ready for an OPs session. And then we had to keep cleaning the engine wheels several times through out the evening OPs. And I had every type of cleaning car there was and none of them did any good as I still had to clean the track over and over again. I was not happy way back then!

But once the metal polish was tried (and I thought that this stuff ain’t gonna’ work - Boy was I wrong!) I have been happily running my layout and not having to even think about cleaning my track!

Just one happy model railroader. BTW - I have over 2800 feet of track on the layout and with over 50 engines and 850 cars it was a major project to clean the track but no more!

BOB H – Clarion, PA

[spidge]

Railzip is from Pacer Technology and makes Zap a Gap.
If I remember correctly Walthers has it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tip on Railzip. Never heard of it. I've only used goo-gone for real tough spots and have not found a problem (yet) :)

I did learn my lesson the hard way long ago and sandpapered the track. Ouch!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

QUOTE: My experience with goo gone is that it leaves a residue that atracts dirt and dust so you end up with gunk, especially on plastic wheelsets.

Same here.

[spidge]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Surfstud31

I know it's old fashioned but I use an eraser. It actually works pretty well. Once in a while you might get a real tough dirty spot and then I'll ust the finest grit modelling sandpaper I can find and rub VERY gently to remove the dirt.

There is a product call Goo-Gone which works well. They even advertise in MR.

My experience with goo gone is that it leaves a residue that atracts dirt and dust so you end up with gunk, especially on plastic wheelsets.
Try Railzip.

[Anonymous]

I know it's old fashioned but I use an eraser. It actually works pretty well. Once in a while you might get a real tough dirty spot and then I'll ust the finest grit modelling sandpaper I can find and rub VERY gently to remove the dirt.

There is a product call Goo-Gone which works well. They even advertise in MR.

[spidge]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeffrey-wimberly

Never thought of the metal polish. I'll have to get some. Any recommendations?

I use MAAS in a silver and blu tube, but there will be many here who have thier favorites.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Never thought of the metal polish. I'll have to get some. Any recommendations?

[spidge]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jeffrey-wimberly

I've never tried baby wipes, though I have tried other types of wipes and found them completely unsatisfactory. They all left a film which made the track get dirty even faster.
The method I found that works well for me is simple. Wal-mart has those little sanding sponges. I don't know the grit number right off hand but it's the finest one they've got. It's almost smooth. I use this by gently rubbing it on the railheads in the direction of travel. DO NOT PRESS IT DOWN. YOU WILL SCRATCH THE TRACK! A gentle rubbing is all it needs. You will see the difference immediatly. I've been using this method for 5 years now and haven't lost a single piece of track to it. I use nickel-silver track. I don't know how well it'll work for steel track. Anybody know?
[8D]

Jeffery,
I used this method on freshly painted track and it works great. You should use the finest grit you can find, and follow up with metal polish. This will be good for about a year, with the exeption of dust problems. The sanding block also highlights any snags in the rail. You will discover some small problems that will be magnified by expansion and the speed at which you run the trains.

Happy railroading.

Oops, I never attempted the wipes but if they only have alcohol why not.
Also I have heard of alcohol to weather wood. Do you think the wipes would work?

[BRAKIE]

Jeffery,Try it on a short section of track.There's nothing to lose.[:D]

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I've never tried baby wipes, though I have tried other types of wipes and found them completely unsatisfactory. They all left a film which made the track get dirty even faster.
The method I found that works well for me is simple. Wal-mart has those little sanding sponges. I don't know the grit number right off hand but it's the finest one they've got. It's almost smooth. I use this by gently rubbing it on the railheads in the direction of travel. DO NOT PRESS IT DOWN. YOU WILL SCRATCH THE TRACK! A gentle rubbing is all it needs. You will see the difference immediatly. I've been using this method for 5 years now and haven't lost a single piece of track to it. I use nickel-silver track. I don't know how well it'll work for steel track. Anybody know?
[8D]

[Anonymous]

per the label they only have alcohol in them, no indications of oil.

[cacole]

Are they soaked in any kind of baby oil? If so, they might not be a good choice for cleaning track because they would leave an oily film on the rail that will attract dirt.

[simon1966]

No. Maybe you are onto something? Let us know if they work.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone ever tried to use baby wipes to clean thier track, just curious.