what is the strongest most heavy duty track cleaning fluid!

bluedepot · February 15, 2012, 10:18:39 PM

ok, i've used clay, paint, ballast and scenic cement.... i have cleaned the tops of the rails with ipa after each spate of modelling in the last month or so.... but i think the track need a serious clean up!!!

...so what is the strongest most heavy duty track cleaning fluid you can get???

cheers,

tim

EtchedPixels · February 15, 2012, 10:24:42 PM

That's the wrong question!

The stronger the cleaner the more likely it's going to damage the scenery. IPA is usually a pretty good bet for cleaning paint and whatnot off rails.

Dock Shunter · February 15, 2012, 10:59:25 PM

Quote from: bluedepot on February 15, 2012, 10:18:39 PM

...so what is the strongest most heavy duty track cleaning fluid you can get???

tim

Elbow grease.........

poliss · February 15, 2012, 11:00:52 PM

Anything strong enough to remove paint will possibly melt the track too. You could try Modelstrip or Mr. Muscle oven cleaner, but that will remove the paint on the rail edges too.
Best to protect the top of the rails with a straw split in half or the zip part of a ziplock bag, or smear Vaseline on the rail tops, then you can wipe it off easily.

Lawrence · February 16, 2012, 08:37:52 AM

Would something like a battery powered toothbrush and some Jif work?

Bikeracer · February 16, 2012, 08:59:14 AM

Quote from: Lawrence on February 16, 2012, 08:37:52 AM
Would something like a battery powered toothbrush and some Jif work?

Confucious say........"Using a battery powered toothbrush and switching it on before it's in your mouth usually results in a wet face and mirror."

Allan

Shiney Sheff · February 16, 2012, 09:07:46 AM

Try clutch and brake dust cleaner for cars, it evaporates very quickly and cleans the normal gunk from track and wheels brilliantly.

Certainly worth a try.

longbridge · February 16, 2012, 10:20:38 AM

I had thought of Sulphuric Acid but after some serious investigation discovered that it would burn a hole through the layout and quite likely the floor, give that a miss.

To be honest it sounds like a job for a soft wire brush on a Dremel Drill or maybe emery cloth or 400 wet and dry paper.

4x2 · February 16, 2012, 10:33:49 AM

To be honest just use a track rubber... I've painted, glued and plastered my track over the years and was always sorted with a track rubber and possibly for the 'chunky bits' a small screwdriver.

Fluid cleaners are great for wiping a dirty rail clean, but removing paint etc needs something more mechanical !

bbdave · February 16, 2012, 05:31:50 PM

I'd go for that i use a track rubber for most things a piece of pine soaked with cleaner does a good job to

Dave

bluedepot · February 18, 2012, 06:25:14 PM

i have got IPA, carrs railclean liquid, and a carrs track rubber.... i also have paper and scrap balsa wood if they are any good....

once the mainline track bed scenic work is all finished i'll give the track some serious cleaning!!! (never mind the kitchen or bathroom, so long as the track is clean!!!)

tim

Jack · February 18, 2012, 07:38:13 PM

For me it's elbow grease and track rubber or a small scrap piece of 2x1. If it's really heavy crud it's IP alcohol, if it's on the inside of the rails it's a very careful use of a craft knife. I personally wouldn't use anything abrasive on the tops of my rails, it causes fine scratches on the tops of the rails where muck can stick .

If I do a major track clean I also clean all rolling stock wheels, it's surprising how much muck they pick up.

Jack