i know old topic but where is the best place to get track cleaner? i am useing HO nickle silver track now so not sure if wet cleaning car or those drag a long cleaning pads are better??
Thanks all!! Hobojim
Jim,
I used to use a lot of ‘elbow grease’ and clean track with a ‘Brite Boy’ block. I still use it in hard to clean some spurs. For the main line I use a combination of the old John Allen Masonite block on a 40’ box car, and a Tony’s Trains CMX track cleaning car. Let’s look at both cars:
- I converted an old Tru-Scale MOW car by drilling a pair of holes in it and attaching a tapered block of wood to the brass rods that run up through the holes in the bottom of the car. I use 3M spray glue to attach a piece ‘drywall sanding screen’ to the bottom of the block. Running this car around the layout will remove heavy ‘crud’ from the track, and the screen makes cleaning the block very easy(just tap it on something solid). The plastic screen does not seem to ‘scratch’ the trackage either.
- The CMX cleaning car uses liquid cleaner(I use lacquer thinner) and has a ‘precision’ valve that meters out the fluid(I can set if for one drop every 5 seconds).
I use both cars together, with a P2K GP9 on each end(these cars are heavy). I let the track cleaning train ‘orbit’ the layout and run it for about 30 minutes. I redirect it through sidings/yard tracks to clean them as well. The result is very clean track.
Other track cleaning ideas are to use liquid chrome polish(like Mothers Mag) to clean track(and I have heard very good results there as well). I just do not like the ‘elbow grease’ needed to do it though. Back in the 70’s there was an article on RMC about using Wahl Clipper Oil on the track - I tried it and it really improved electrical pickup. The idea was to put a few drops on the rails and let the trains distribute it. However, there was a lot more wheel slip and my engines did not pull as well. Also, the oil mixed with the ‘crud’ and gobs of the stuff would get tracked around t
I had a bad dirt problem and finally hit on an electrical contact clear called CRC 2-26. Spray it on a pad and wipe the track a couple times. Wait about ten minutes and follow with a dry pad.
Problem solved and trains run much better than any other product I’ve tried.
It’s great for cleaning and lubing motors too.
I agree, first outfit all rolling stock with metal wheels. Two products which are very effective are Maas or Flitz metal cleaner and polish. You can go 6 months or more between cleanings. Available at Wal-Mart and Lowes.
I’d use the “gleem” method described in many prior threads on track cleaning. Once I tried it, I’d never go back to cleaning cars and other stuff.
Hal