I have been playing with N scale for about 8 years and I think it’s about time I went from my limited 4x8 “diarama” to a little bit larger layout. My Quistion is that when I take-up my old track and I want to reuse it how can I get the glue off the bottom of the ties? When I laid the track I laid it on foam instalation with Elmers white glue, the track comes off of the instalation easly enough but the old glue is still on the ties. Is there hope of reusing the track>
I’ve heard soaking it in warm water overnight helps. Haven’t tried it ,though.
Terry
i’ve had luck soaking it with warm water with dish soap which seems to penetrate the old ballast. then gently scrub the track with an old tooth brush and rinse with clear water.
I’m not sure the YEILD will be worth it, but try a wide blade metal putty knife. Hrdened Ellmers glue was a water based product.
Once bent, track becomes unusable. I used the opportunity to use better/more realitic track.
NEXT time use a photographers tacky non-permanent spray mount, available at Artist Supply Stores. It holds, but allows removing and repositioning.
i have reused my old track several times now and have learned not to glue it down till im sure thats where its gonna stay.But the first time, i used warm soapy water in my bathtub and soaked them for about 2 hours or so, time really is irrevalant, but as long as it is more than one kids TV show.
I have reused my track several times as I enlarged my layout. Soak it in warm, soapy water for several hours and then scrub it with a toothbrush and rinse. Let it dry and it’s good to go. That is why I use Elmer’s-type glue instead of contact or caulk. They are not removable. I have reused the cork, too, but it generally is not worth the effort.
I agree. This is the best way to get the glue off. I made the mistake of using Matte-Medium to put track down, but only once.
Before I built my last layout I had never used adhesive to fasten track, so I’ve reused flex track numerous times.[8D]
Last time, I fastened some flex to ceiling tile with latex caulk. When I tried to pick it up, the tile came up with it. After soaking the fibrous material off, heavy rubbing got the remaining caulk off the ties. That flex is now part of the netherworld - re-laid in my Mikasa staging yard.[^]
Since my present layout is intended to be my last (in this lifetime,) I don’t expect to have to lift and re-lay track - but that assumes that I’ll get it dead right the first time.[:-^][(-D][(-D]
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)