Hey guys... a friend passed along some stuff salvaged from his Dad's HO basement layout from back in the day. Among the "treasures" were 9 or 10 turnouts I would like to use in an expansion I'm planning on my own layout. Wondering whats the "best" way to clean these up...lots of oxidation and accumulated grime/dust. Any hints/product recommendations?
Jeff,
Are these brass or nickel silver? (If they are steel they are probably rusty and difficult to save.) Are they the same material as the rest of your layout?
Alcohol is often used to clean rail tops as is a brite-boy. If the sides of the rails have corrosion, I would think the narrow end of the brite-boy would do most of the work, but be careful around the moving parts of the turnouts. A fine sanding stick might work on the sides, just be careful not to scratch the top surface of the rails.
If the plastic parts of the turnouts are grimy a little soap and water and an old tooth brush would clean them up. Dry them quickly and thoroughly, in front of a fan comes to mind.
If there is other rail available that is not suitable for use in your track plan, you can use it for scrap loads or new rail awaiting use.
Good luck,
Richard
Here's what I would do. With a lint free cloth apply 91% alcohol to the rails and give the a good rubbing being sure to go in the direction of the rails, not across. Using a piece of 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper lightly scrub the rails again going with the rails, not across. Repeat using 800 or 1200 grit. Using a piece of stainless steel (the real stuff, not plated) that's wide enough to span both rails rub it back and forth over the railheads going with the rails, not across. The crud and roughness on the rails can be felt through the metal as it's pushed back and forth and that feeling go away as the roughness and crud are rubbed off. Apply a very thin coat of metal polish (I use Blue Magic metal polish available at auto parts stores) to the rail heads. Be careful not to get it on the sides. Let the polish dry. To remove the polish use a piece of cork that's big enough to span both rails and rub it back and forth over the railheads going with rails, not across. The amount of black crud that will come off is astounding. When the cork seems too dirty get a fresh piece and use it. Repeat until the cork stays clean.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I would make up a hot solution of tri-sodium phosphate, good ol' TSP, if the ties are plastic and not wooden, and soak the turnouts for maybe 10 minutes. Use a stiff plastic vegetable brush and carefully work the bristles amongst the ties and into the rail webs, being careful not to snag any points hinges or damage their mounting to the throwbar. Let soak, repeat the brushing. Once you have all that is coming off removed, rinse well, let air dry, and then you'll have to use an ink eraser or something slightly abrasive to clean up what's left. I would even be tempted, if you are patient, to use the edge of a scotchbright pad, one of those rough hard plastic pads for scrubbing pots. The idea, again, is to use patience and care so as not to damage the spike heads or anything delicate and critical to function.
Another method might be something like mineral oil. It will be messy, but mineral oil might loosen up some stuff better than a water-based method. Cleanu-up with the TSP.
-Crandell
About nine months ago I bought a new ultrasonic cleaner for about $70 with the intent of cleaning firearms components. I actually ended up using the thing far more in model railroading. Hot water, some dish detergent, and an appropriate amount of time cleans just about anything you can fit into it. I've used it to clean my airbrush after solvent and acrylic painting projects, loco trucks, gears, drivelines, motors, plastic bodies, brass locos (in careful intervals of time), and I have done track...#6 and #8 switches can only be done half at a time...just too long to fit into cleaner's tub all at once.
Too much time with delicate items can vibrate them apart.
Afterward I wash with 91% isopropyl alcohol to drive out moisture.
I've had no issues what so ever...yet.
A method I high recommend.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
Just My Get your self, a can of Brasso polish,,a relatively firm bristle tooth brush,hold under warm water,pour a little Brasso on the track and scrub away with the tooth brush,rinse off, clean up with soft rag...You can also,use it for NS track and your done..Kiss.
Cheers,
Frank