Just got back from the local hobby shop, where I went to pick up a couple of “Bright Boys” abrasive blocks. For decades, I’ve used pretty much the same type, kind of a 1x3 beige block with angled ends. Well, the proprietor suggested I try the Walthers Crastex Abrasive Bock XF (949-522) which he said was easier to hold (1x4 approx) and a finer grit. I picked up two (7.95 ea), and just tried one out.
Well, it lives up to its billing, and I would say its like using emory cloth vs. sandpaper. It is certainly easier to grip, and I suspect it will serve me well.
This is a new item for me, although it may have been around for years and I never saw it before.
I’ll have to keep an eye out for one. I’ve been mostly using course pink ink erasers for most of my track ckeaning, and only using my 50 year old Bright Boy for the worst spots.
“Cratex” is a brand name for a rubberized abrasive product made into lots of useful shapes. I’ve used their products in the machine shop for years for injection mold making and tool making. Google 'em, and you’ll find links to places to buy the stuff, like McMaster-Carr or MSC Industrial Supply. The stuff comes in various grits from coarse to super fine.
Apparently they make abrasive cleaning bars in different sizes for different scale. I was unaware of this until I went to my LHS and asked for a Bright Boy he handed me a couple of these larger S scale ones called “Bright Bars” I like em better because the fit my paws better and do the same job. I’ve tried the ones you described but really didn’t see much of a difference. then a regular Bright boy/bar or what ever you want to call it.
I’m just about through with my track cleaning, and thought I would pass along some more of my experience…
The Cratex works great for most of the cleaning, but I had to resort to the ol bright boy for a couple of more difficult places. Once the gunk was removed, I went over it with the Cratex. FYI, the Cratex is obviously a finer “grit” than any of the regular blocks I have - and thus the “scratches” will be smaller and less likely to hold new dirt.
Also, I soon realized that a latex glove was needed to keep that grime and/or Cratex “leavings” off my fingers. It does NOT wash off easily. I have always shunned the latex gloves, but this is one time I used them.
Lastly, I wiped the “cleaned” track off with alcohol, which picked up whatever residue was left.
Have happily used the Cratex oblong blocks for track cleaning for over ten years, shallower scratching of the rail tops than a Bright Boy. Also, using the (fine) reddish brown colored Cratex blocks in place of successively finer grits of sand paper worked okay and was easier for me when applying the “gleaming” process to my trackage. The blocks do “load up” easily which requires frequent wipe downs of the block with an alcohol soaked rag. Oh yea, though highly uncomfortable for me, wearing gloves during the “gleaming” work was a hand saver. But in the long run the big saver is how little the track requires hand cleaning after the “gleaming”. With my model railroad living in the garage, I say three cheers for Cratex and four cheers for the “gleaming” process. Peter