Hi All,
Is drugstore alcohol an acceptable solvent to use for cleaning track?
Thanks in advance,
Bob
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Yes, 90% or greater isopropyl alcohol works great. I use it on a paper towel as it leaves no lint.
Thanks guys
Bob, don't forget the pick up rollers.
Originally Posted by John Devlin:
Bob, don't forget the pick up rollers.
I won't. Thanks
I was told that cleaning compounds leave a residue on the rails that actually attracts dirt and grease, all over again. So the cleaning cars that I use simply have a felt pad that drags along the rails, cleans the railheads and works well for me. If I have paint, glue or stain residue on the railheads, I use a Bright Boy abrasive block to remove the specific problem.
Of course, if you don't clean the track regularly, (about twice a year or so) you can get a build up of grime that transfers over to the wheels and pick-up rollers of your equipment, and you may need to scrape out the wheels, flanges and rollers of each car and engine. Lot of time spent on this project.
Paul Fischer
MTH suggest denatured Alcohol for their track. That works very well, but I use the 90% rubbing alcohol also and I have had no bad issues with it.
Originally Posted by fisch330:
I was told that cleaning compounds leave a residue on the rails that actually attracts dirt and grease, all over again.
Paul Fischer
Yes but I wouldn't consider alcohol a cleaning compound. They are probably talking about Lysol and other agents like that which you would buy for household use.
Bob
