In a recent Model Railroader article, mineral spirits was recommended as a track cleaning solvent. I’ve tried this on my DC layout where I run some sound-equipped locomotives such as Blue Line and QSI-equipped models. The residue that was left on the railhead after the volatile solvent evaporated nearly shut down my sound-equipped models. These models draw a substantial current, and the residue seems to add a resistive layer to the railhead, reducing the current flow to the model. Mineral spirits might be OK for a DCC layout with constant voltage on the rail, but I cannot recommend mineral spirits for a DC layout on which sound-equipped locomotives are operated. I’ve also tried a lubricating electronics contact cleaner (Lube Job) but that left too much slippery lubricant on the railhead - no traction. So, it’s back to residue-free electronic contact cleaner (for example, Blow-Off) and just a small (really small) drop of CRC 2-26 on each rail.
Mineral spirits isn’t even good for cleaning a DCC layout. Somebody had rocks in their head when they wrote that article. I tried mineral spirits some years ago and ended up having to do a major scrub-down on the track to get it off. I went back to using alcohol until 2006 when I found that metal polish (I use Blue Magic polish cream) does a very good job.
When I read that Model Railroader article about putting Clipper oil on the rail heads I thought to myself that was a bad idea. I put some alcohol in my CMX Clean Machine once every 6 months or so and have never had a problem with dirty track.
The ads for Blue Magic show a cream and a liquid product. Which product form do you recommend? They also state that the product leaves a protective film that adheres to the finish. Does this protective film ensure good electrical properties? Thanks for any information.
Those who swear by this method will say that there is nothing left that impedes the passage of electrons where they are meant to flow. However, to be balanced, this subject came up some time in the past three weeks and one person said they found the metal polish method to be a disaster. My money is on it being a rather effective technique.
I use the cream polish. I know there are those out there who say it was a disaster for them. I only have this to say to them, you didn’t do it right. I cleaned my outer loop with the metal polish in June of 06 and haven’t had to clean it again since. Just a wipe here and there where I spilled some plaster dust or whatever. I cleaned the inner loop the regular way, with alcohol and a cloth. I’ve had to clean the inner loop two times a week. In March of this year I took the metal polish to the inner loop and have yet to clean it again. If you want to know how to do this, let me know and I’ll email the instructions to you.