I saw a recent post about what to use for gluing down ballast. What about a recommendation for cleaning ballast from old track? I picked up some turnouts on Ebay and they’re in great condition, just need to clean out some old ballast from between the ties. Could I dunk them in something to dissolve the glue and not harm the rails?
Thanks
Barry
New Orleans, LA
paint thiner
If the rails are nickel-silver, you can dunk them in water, just remove any electrics first. If they’re steel, dunk them in alcohol. I’m asuming the fastening agent is white glue. If matte-medium was used, you’ve got a battle on your hands. Be careful about paint thinner. Some thinners attack plastic.
I just knocked out the ballast with a screw driver and hit the bottom with some 150 grit sand paper. DON’T USE LACQUER THINNER! It will make the ties soft if not melt them. Well the thinner I use for painting 1:1 cars will.
Cuda Ken
If the track is brass, it’s a collector’s item. In our neighborhood, they collect on Wednesdays. Put it out by the curb and they’ll do you a big favor.
Thanks for the tips, folks.
If the track is brass, it’s a collector’s item… [:)] good one.
Actually it’s all NS so I’ll give Jeffrey’s plain water tip a try. Hey Jeffery, great to meet another LA modeler here. I’m in the burbs just outside New Orleans.
Barry
Glad to meet you. I helped a lot of New Orleans evacuee’s who were sent to Leesville’s shelters after Katrina hit. I met a lot of good people from down your way.
I have used ScotchBrite with soap and water on old brass track. (30 to 40 year old stuff). It seem to clean just about everything. The rails look like new.
A little soap (detergent) in the water will make it work better/faster. I alway just let it soak overnight. Fred