dirty track

Here's a list of many recent threads about track cleaning:

 

Track cleaning

 

Jim

 

 

 

We use denatured alcohol for cleaning track on the club layout. Microfiber pads and scotch-brite pads do a great job.

 

Gilly

Use naphtha to clean and degrease the track. Clean the wheels and rollers on your locomotives also. If the problem persists, you may need to add power feeders to the problem areas.

 

Larry

I used and still use denatured alcohol for various cleaning chores but not for my Atlas track. I have a small layout with lots of switches. Four in a row in one section. A while ago I started using Deoxit in a spray can. Very pricey but an excellent cleaner and formulated for good continuity between electrical contacts. I spray a little on a piece of Shamwow, wrap that over a block of wood and wipe. Then wipe dry. I have a lot of 2 roller steam engines and have no problems with starts and stops. Have been using the same can for about 8 months. A little goes a long way.

Denatured alcohol here as well.

I clean our track three or four times a year. All I use is a dry scotch bright pad and then vacuum up the dust afterword. It seems to be sufficient. Not sure if using some sort of cleaning substance would do a better job or preserve the track better.

DO NOT NOT NOT use Simple Green!  EVER!!!! I found that Goo Gone works wonders.  I tired the alcohol first but got much better results from the Goo Gone.

there is a difference of denatured & rubbing alcohol. Wear gloves, and use denatured.

Small layout 4x8 always used the used kitchen sink scotch pad after i let it dry of course

followed by a old Tee shirt that are saved as rags.

Mrs wonders why there is always a like new pad at the sink.

 

Cheap but efficient me.

I probably would not use Goo Gone again. I have tubular track and have found that the Goo Gone has coated the entire pins and inside of rails with the solvent and oily residue. Very difficult to remove. I prefer alcohol. Dries almost instantly. 

I use a Scotch Brite pad also after using alcohol and other things in the past.

Art