I use the GLEAM method myself. First I sand all the track with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper wrapped around a small sanding block that spans both rails then go over it again with 800 or 1200 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Then I burnish the rail heads with a piece of stainless steel wide enough to span both rails. This has to be solid stainless steel, not a piece of metal with stainless steel plating. I do all the track, back and forth, always going in the direction of the rails. Then I put a thin coating of Blue Magic cream metal polish on a piece of roadbed cork and lightly dab it on the rail heads while not getting any on the sides of the rails. I do all the track. Now I let that dry. When it’s dry I use a fresh piece of cork to buff the polish off. One piece will do about eighteen inches then I flip the cork over and use the other side the repeat with a new piece of cork. I keep doing this until all the track is done. I GLEAMed my layout some time ago, around the time of hurricane Katrina. I did it again a couple of years ago when I rebuilt part of the layout. The trains were running fine before I left my home earlier this month. When I go back in a couple of months it’ll take only a quick wipe with a clean dry cloth to clean the track.