Greatly reduce track cleaning by treating with NO-OX-ID "A SPECIAL"

Here

He references this post, but I don't see his method described.

UPDATE:  Since this was authored NO OX ID track treatment has been applied to the layout track and Track Cleaning has been eliminated and the need for a track a cleaning car eliminated.  See page 5, post 48 on How I  applied NO OX ID to my 027 track and eliminate track cleaning and improve train operation especially at slow speeds.  Tracks have not needed to be cleaned since 12-2021.

This is from page 5, post 48

@John H posted:

Here

He references this post, but I don't see his method described.

UPDATE:  Since this was authored NO OX ID track treatment has been applied to the layout track and Track Cleaning has been eliminated and the need for a track a cleaning car eliminated.  See page 5, post 48 on How I  applied NO OX ID to my 027 track and eliminate track cleaning and improve train operation especially at slow speeds.  Tracks have not needed to be cleaned since 12-2021.

This is from page 5, post 48

Thanks John. That's it. The details are on page 8 of that thread, dated 2/14/22. I have printed it out so I don't have to ask again!

Bob

I recall a recent thread regarding this product where pros and cons were addressed.

https://ogrforum.com/...stant-track-cleaning

New to O gauge, but have used this method on HO (nickel and brass)----1 1/2 years--no cleaning-- and running fine ! Brass of course first to have problems. Key is do not scratch up track !

@NYC 428 posted:

https://ogrforum.com/...stant-track-cleaning

That video from Ron’s Trains and Things explains the science and theory very well. Appreciate the link.

Bob

Is it possible to change the title of this thread?  [edit: the name of the thread has been changed... thank you]

NO-OX-ID "A SPECIAL" is not now, never has been, and never will be a method of cleaning.

NO-OX-ID "A SPECIAL" is a treatment designed for radio transmitting antennas and applied to model railroad track and wheels after they have been cleaned. NO-OX-ID "A SPECIAL" is a grease and it should never come in contact with rubber traction tires. A very slight amount of NO-OX-ID "A SPECIAL" grease is applied and must be left on the rails and wheels for a period of 24 hours for a chemical action to take place that greatly reduces oxidation caused by electrical transmission from rails to moving wheels. After the 24 hour period, the grease must be removed. (If you have magnetraction without rubber traction tires, you may run the train during the 24 hour period.)

After the treatment with NO-OX-ID "A SPECIAL" is finished, there is a tremendous reduction in oxidation and you can go two or three years without needing to remove that horrible black gunk from your rails and wheels. Thus people think of this as a replacement for constant cleaning, but it is not a cleaning method.

"After the 24 hour period, the grease must be removed."

Best way to remove it ?

@John in California posted:

Is it possible to change the title of this thread?

Yes , certainly. You are perfectly right. Thanks for the clarification. Just so I get it right, can you suggest an edit?

Bob

@Arthur posted:

"After the 24 hour period, the grease must be removed."

Best way to remove it ?

If you have done it properly, there was never very much grease on the rails, wheels, and center rail pickup. After 24 hours just wipe it off with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth. It is not difficult. Lynn Westcott got model railroaders started on this nearly 60 years ago. It works on any metal such as copper or steel.

There is one case where I do not remove the grease: track pins. I put a tiny amount of NO-OX-ID "A SPECIAL" grease on the pins of my Christmas layouts. The track goes together and comes apart easier and the electrical connection is superb.

@Bob "O" posted:

Yes , certainly. You are perfectly right. Thanks for the clarification. Just so I get it right, can you suggest an edit?

Bob

How about 'Greatly reduce track cleaning by treating with NO-OX-ID "A SPECIAL"'

Sounds good to me. Track needs to be cleaned first, magic eraser, alcohol, mineral spirits--then a lite coat of NO-OX ID. A key is to not abrade , scratch etc. like we used to do. Any track cleaning abrasive cars have been retired.

I must be using that stuff wrong.  I tried it on my N Scale layout and it did absolutely nothing to reduce track cleaning.

John

There has been a lot of misrepresentation regarding this product. It is a grease that prevents oxidation.

According to hobbyists’ instructions on its proper use, the first step is to clean the track, then apply small amounts (one version suggests a few dots spread out every foot or so) that are spread by the wheels or the rollers. The residue then needs to be removed.

The grease reportedly reduces the need to clean track frequently by maximizing electrical conductivity.

However, given that other elements reduce electrical contact (smoke fluid residue, dust mixed with oils, broken-down rubber from traction tires, etc.), saying that No-Ox ID A Special eliminates track cleaning sounds like a hard sell. Yes, I have read accounts here that say “I applied it to my track and haven’t had to clean it since.” But I can say the same thing for other type of cleaning-only practices.

I like the product as an oxidation prevention step. That’s its purpose. Period.

I thoroughly cleaned my center rail and then applied a light coat. It works great to give better contact for the rollers, and all flickering of lights etc on cars and engines immediately stopped.

I never considered it to be a product that would reduce track cleaning.  Just the opposite.  The grease is thick, and of course the dust and dirt in the air, and the inevitable free floating flecks of junk on the layout (flecks of grass and landscaping), will stick to it.

Mannyrock

The method is to wipe it off. The benefit is from a chemical reaction, not the grease itself.