After reading the thread “To Gleam or not to Gleam”, I finally decided to give the metal polish route a try for maintaining tracks. The closest I could find of the recomended polishes, was Blue Magic (which was one of the ones that were recommended) but in a paste not the liquid. When I got it home, it says that it leaves a silicon film on the metal to protect it. Have any of you used this product for track cleaning, and how does it work? Or… Should I go back and get the liquid Blue Magic mentioned in the other thread. (And BTW, I don’t shop at Mall-Wart under any circumstances so don’t tell me they have it cheaper…)
Several members, including the intrepid cmrproducts, have used the Blue Magic and reported that it works well. You should be fine.
BTW, you can always pay more somewhere else… [:-,][:-^][:D]
I use paint thinner myself - in a well ventilated area. I can’t aford to lose anymore brain cells than I already have…
Tracklayer
I just went out and looked at the bottle of Blue Magic (liquid) that I have and it says nothing about any silicone coating. I also looked at the plastic tub of Mothers and it also says nothing about silicone.
Now this makes me wonder if:
1 - The Blue Magic paste is different than the liquid - concerning surface finish or
2 – The Blue Magic liquid has had the silicone finish all of the time.
More investigation is in order!
And on the note about using volatile compounds on my layout – that is just what my insurance company is looking for!
BOB H – Clarion, PA
I can report that the Blue Magic paste wax job on my test section is holding up quite well. I don’t know about 3 years from now but 2 and 1/2 weeks and going strong… Have worked on the layout section as well installing a turntable, tracks, wiring, base for the roundhouse, and just a simple wipe of the rails with a small shop-vac, trains still crawl across the 4 foot test section at speeds measuring in the seconds per tie… Normally, with this kind of activity, I would have had to re-scrub the rails with whatever my chosen solvent of the day was.
[2c]
Jeff
Thank you all! I guess I will try the paste on a section of track and see how it works since others have used it with no problems.
(selector, yes I prefer to spend more elswhere! I use my money, as much as possible, to try and make this world a better place, so i patronize stores that are good members of my community. [;)] )
I went to Wal-Mart and bought MAAS for about $3.
Victor
Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]
Victor,
I used MAAS one one of my main lines also. It has only been a week though and everything is working fine. How long ago did you use this and how have you enjoyed it?
I want to see how it works before I use it on my other main and in my yard.
Just tried Mother’s wheel and metal cleaner this afternoon, on some truly grungy steel rail sectional track that I use for test grades and other experiments. I’m sold! A loco that would barely run on 75% throttle picked up and walked away at about 20% after a couple of quick swipes, three to spread the paste and three more to wipe it off.
Needless to say, all of my hidden track will get the Mother’s treatment before the ‘roof’ goes on.
Update!
I got some 220 and 600 grit wet/dry sand paper tonight and did the whole routine from the “To gleam or not to gleam” thread. WOW! I could not believe the crud that came off with the polish (Blue Magic). Ran one loco that is a good runner and yes it will now creep at about half the throttle it needed before. Also the sound of the loco moving on the rail is completely gone. I assume this is do to the smooting of the rail by the sandpaper. As soon as the loco crossed over onto the untreated track, you could hear it again. Fantastic! I am a believer.