Fastrack rusting

Since I now have A/C in my train room the problem of track rust has stopped for me , the level of moisture in the air is important if the train room /area is not climate controlled or is in a basement without a dehumidifier they will rust in my experience

This topic comes up from time to time.  If you use the forum search feature and are a bit tenacious (it is a quirky search engine and takes some trying sometimes) you ca find a lot of discussion about this.  

 

I use only 91% iso alcohol, and wipe it dry afterwards.  

 

You will get a plot of replies to use this or that cleaner.  Stic with something now not to cause problems.  Iso alcohol 91%, track cleaning fluid, etc.   And absolutely, positively, never use Simple Green.

Homedad40 has it, get a dehumidifier. Someone also posted a nice tip. Home Depot has a nice digital humidity\temperature gauge for $10. I got one and it helped tune the dehumidifier settings to actual room conditions desired. I keep it around 50%.

Where do you live?  If you are in a high humidity area the track with rust.  I purchased a dehumidifier years ago for my train room and don't have any problem now. 

 

Steve, Lady and Tex

I've had my carpet central FasTrack layout in my dehumidified basement for, oh, about five years, now (where'd the time go?).  Not a trace of rust on either the FasTrack or the tubular and Super-O I use for displays.  Just keep the humidity low, and you shouldn't see any rust.  My own dehumidifier is set to 55%.

 

Oh yeah, and I clean the track with 91% isopropyl alcohol and Scotch Brite pads.

 

WD-40 is recommended by Mike Reagan of Lionel, and it makes sense. I increases

electrical conductivity, and, as petroleum, it pretty much stops the rust, by nature.

 

It is also completely harmless - indeed, as we know, it is friendly to machinery.

It also smells good.

 

Wet rag with WD-40, wipe track. Repeat every so often.

CRC Silicone spray works good to clean up rusting Fastrack then wipe it clean with alcohol.  Dehumidifier/AC is needed to prevent it rusting.

Alcohol attracts water out of the air, and if you do not thoroughly dry whatever you used it on, moisture will collect and eventually cause rust. I never use alcohol to clean anything; I use naphtha exclusively. Does not harm plastic, paint, or insulation.

 

Larry

I have been using WD-40 ever since Fastrack sets were released.   My layout is in one bay of my garage, here in humid Georgia.   WD-40 dissolves dirt and gunk very nicely, and I intentionally leave a light film of oil on the track to protect it from the humid atmosphere.   No problems with rust.

 

I had no idea that Mike Reagan also recommends WD-40!  Great to learn  D500.

 

Moonman, no effect on traction, unless you leave way too much on - easily rectified with paper towels.   I generally run trains while cleaning to distribute the WD-40 and clean the wheels and rollers at the same time.

 

My fast rack layout is in a non-climate controlled garage here in super hot and humid Florida and rust has not been a problem for me. The only time I have had rust it was caused by my own sweaty hands. I used a product called PB Blaster (similar to WD40) to help remove the rust. Those rusty track sections are now usable again and a light coating of PB Blaster on the rails prevent future rusting. 

Purchased a replacement 70 pint Danby dehumidifier for the basement, humidity level set 45 to 50 %, dehumidifier is run from May through October, with the increase in humidity and temperature in Northwest Indiana the condensate tank needs to be drained daily. I use Gargrave Phantom tin plated track, no corrosion on rails, and no corrosion on locomotive and freight car wheelsets, layout in basement, no musty smell. Also with the control of humidity no corrosion on painted items such as furnace, hot water tank,etc.

Echo the WD-40, it works really well

did the wd 40 thing and it works