I am hoping to get some input from Forum members concerning the long term useage of Autosol (the German automotive metal polish). I know there are a few Posts from members about using the polish but I can find nothing about long term effects, over time, on trackwork.
I already have a tube and, depending on responses, will use the polish for N scale Peco code 55 track for my 12’ x 6’ layout. Short term I believe it’s fine but has anyone used the polish for a long period of time (i.e. months or years) and found adverse effects on track or consequently on loco/freight car wheels from contact with the polish from the track?
Many thanks for your help.
(Edit: sorry, I should have mentioned I intend using this for track cleaning)
Not being familiar with the product I’d do some reading.
Is it plastic compatable. If so…
Read ingredients list and see what it compares to in known products used for track cleaning.
If you are still not sure, put some on a scrap piece of track, be sure to get plenty on the ties. Let it sit full strength for awhile and observe the sample.
If you are asking what effect metal polish will have on the track over the long term -
I can say that I used metal polish back in 2003 and have not had to repolish the track since -
So that makes on the order of 8 years since i have had to clean my track!
So I can say for certain - there have been no ill effects that I have seen!
Now I do polish all new track I put down and have repolished some sections when I did Scenery, Ballasting and Painting of my track.
BUT !
There are places on my layout where I have NOT repolished the track since 2003 and there are no problems - the sound engines run great and NO sound cutouts.
And we are talking about 3400 feet of track - so NOT having to clean track is a major benefit here!
That is exactly the response I was hoping for (but I do want to thank the other members for their input).
I had heard somewhere that Autosol was worth looking at and your confirmation that your track and locos have no long term effects after all this time clinches it for me. I’ll start tomorrow.
Pretty much the way I do it except I apply the polish to all the track first. By the time I finish that the first area I applied it to is dry and I can start right in on the buffing.
On my layout (3400ft of track) - it would be weeks until I would get back to start buffing !
That is why I just keep on running until an area would absolutely have to be repolished (like ballasting or paint the track) - which is why it has been 8 years and it still keeps on running!
Autosol is a heavy duty cleaner and polish. I use it every spring to polish my wheels on my trucks and cars and then use Mothers the rest of the spring and summer months to keep them shiny. I found Mothers will last longer on my wheels then Autosol does. That isn’t a knock on Autosol, it is the best cleaner and polish I believe that is available. Something to think about.
