please advise how to clean Lionel tarnished postwar track. if it is tarnished is it still usable as far as conducting a good current? much thanks sharing.
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I've used a 3M abrasive pad to clean the rail tops; it's the only really important part. The interior of the track will pick up corrosion so you'll have to try to clean the area where the pins will reside. Some of the track sections will still need their own jumper wire if they are too badly crudded up. I didn't worry about the outside of the rail as it gets painted anyway. It's a lot of work, but doable.
Neil
Scotchbrite pads work well to clean minor oxidation. If you want to clean a substantial amount of track with heavier oxidation or actual rust, I find it expedient to use a large wire wheel in a bench grinder (be careful etc). I have salvaged a LOT of cheap old track this way, and used it for most of my layout mileage. As GTW mentioned, clean the pins and pin holes as well. In some cases I have found it more expedient to solder jumper wires across high-resistance rail joints, if the track is already in a layout.
I thought I"d be smart and clean my track with one of those Mr. Clean sponge pads, I looked at the pad and it was black. I said to myself boy this really works. WELL GUESS WHAT it DOES NOT WORK...it must have soap or something in it...SO DO NOT USE THOSE PADS....I had to clean them all again...
thank you very much guys, your help is very much appreciated.
Thank you, Jerry
