I don’t know about all manufacturers, but I believe the ties on most track are made from styrene, which doesn’t mix well with a solvent like Goo Gone. Loathar’s method is the safest, since there’s no danger of applying too much, but the smell alone is enough to keep me away from it for this purpose. I start feeling sick after breathing it too long, even with proper ventilation. [xx(]
I had some brass track on the layout I had as a kid, and it was in a basement that was far from dry, but it never corroded. Held up just fine.
All this talk of solvent odor and residue…isn’t GOO-GONE citrus based? Buddy and I’ve been using it for years, and all we’ve ever experience was—>clean track.
D’oh! [:I] It was late and I was thinking of Goof Off, which I wouldn’t let near my models. I’ve never used Goo Gone, but if it is citrus based, it should be safer. I have seen citrus products capable of melting plastic, though.
Yep. Goof Off is really strong and solvent based. Works a lot better but WILL melt plastic. Goo Gone is the citrus based stuff. Using these is another reason I don’t use acrylics to paint and weather my track. These cleaners won’t affect enamel.