Track and Layout Cleaning

[cmrproducts]

Driline

Any metal polish will work except those that tend to leave a wet finish (which BRASSO and most CHROME Cleaners do).

So what you have is fine.

I apply the polish by putting some on a 1” long piece of HO cork (only because I model in HO and have a lot left over from a previous layout). 

I spread a thin coat of the polish on the cork and then just rub the rails for about 10 feet or so.

I then take a clean piece of HO cork and buff the section I have just done.  THAT is IT!

No using of a Bright Boy, sandpaper or burnishing - NOTHING but the polish.

I change the cork when it is really black and use the buffing piece to then put the polish on and get a new piece of clean cork to buff.

Depending on how big the layout is it should not take long to completely clean the layout.

My layout only took 1 hour with 4 people but then again WE were cleaning 2800 feet of track.

So not having to waste my time running cleaning cars around the layout before an OPs session is great. 

If I found places where there was an excess of buildup on the rails I will used the Bright Boy and then polish the rails again.

43 months and counting ;-)

BOB H – Clarion, PA

[cmrproducts]

Using Metal Polish is for those layout owners that are tired of using a cleaning car

If YOU do not have to clean the track every time then don’t use this method!

The Polish method is only for those layout owners that are tired of the cleaning process and are ready to try anything else.

43 months and counting ;-)

BOB H – Clarion, PA

[jamnest]

My wife uses MAAS metal polish to clean her brass lamps.  I thought about using some to clean track.  Anyone tried this poduct?

[cmrproducts]

jamnest

Yes it will work.  That is what was originally suggested in the Model Railroader article back in 2003 where I got the idea to try it on my layout!

Other types of polish that have been tried is

Blue Magic (both liquid and paste)

Mothers Mag Wheel polish

43 months and counting ;-)

BOB H - Clarion, PA 

 

 

 

[NeO6874]

<snip> 

We used a franklin fireplace in the train room to heat the house. <more snipping>

 

Perhaps that wass the root of your problem.  everything in (or near if there's a poor draft) the fireplaces in houses (no matter what type) awlays seem to get the soot/tar/whatever from the smoke all over...