Cleaning 027 Track

[Civil War]

 I am new at this and was wondering what is the best way to clean 027 track. I have a bottle of Lionel Track Cleaning Fluid. What is the best way to use it and should an abrasive be used before or after for best effect? Thanks

 Terry

[rtraincollector]

First welcome glad you stopped in.

Now whats the problem with your track you say your new to this is it they are old and dingy and some light rust or is it you been running your trains on them and there starting to slow down some?

If its just from running a little cleaner on a rag should do good but if its as mentioned above go to the store and get some scotch brite green scrubbers and use that on you track don't use steel wool as it leaves metal residue and that can get in your engine and ruin it .

keep us posted as to how all going and ask questions you have .

[dougdagrump]

Don't use an abrasive per say, but if you have a really stubborn gunk or a little corrosion/rust use a scotchbrite pad. My preference is to use denatured alcohol and a good cleaning pad, at one time you could find what was called an artificial chamois at the dollar stores that worked great. Unfortunately can no longer get them, now they are on TV being sold as shamwow at a lot higher price.

[magicman710]

It depends on the condition of the track.

Most people, when cleaning old tubular track, whether it be rusty or just grimy, usually only clean the tops of the rails. It may hinder the best appearence, but it is all that is necessary for proper function. (I find that cleaing the sides, especially removing rust, would be a real pain)

It would be nice, if you can, to post pictures of the track your trying to clean.

But, if the track is just dirty and grimy, track clean with a soft cloth and a little rubbing should do the trick. A pink eraser can be used for tough spots. If an abrassive pad is needed, a scotch-brite pad works pretty good.

If the track has rust, use fine grit sandpaper to sand of the rust on the top of the rails, then follow up with a little track clean, and the top of the rails will look like new.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: Looks like Bill and Doug beat me too it. And I though I was a pretty fast typer...

BTW, to the forum!

[Kooljock1]

 Some may disagree, but I've found that Zippo Lighter Fluid cuts through the worst grease. 

 If the track is not attached to a board, feel free to put it in your dishwasher with some Cascade instead.  For really stubborn stuff, I use a green Scotchbrite pad.

 Just remember: if you get it wet, be sure to "bake" your track in the oven set to "low" with the door open to dry it out.  

 Jon

[dwiemer]

Lastly, after all of the above, and your track is completely dry, do a continuity check to make sure that you don't have contact between the middle rail and the outside rails.  It is better to check this when individual pieces verses trying to find it when the layout is complete.

Dennis

[3railguy]

I agree with everyone here on Scotchbrite pads. The kitchen variety. They are non abrasive and work well. MAAS metal polish along with the Scotchbrites work well at removing minor rust and tarnish. MAAS is non abrasive, doesn't leave a film, and popular with HO and N guys for cleaning electrical contacts. A good rinsing with alcohol afterwards is good too. I often hear 90% isporsyl is the best stuff.

[Civil War]

 Thanks to all of you for your great suggestions. I will post a photo of my work in progress soon.

 

Terry

[USNRol]

You could do a search of the forum and find hours and hours of reading on this subject.

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/thread/1167812.aspx

Here's a post I made involving removing rather advanced rust from tubular trackage...the easy way.

Roland