Has anyone tried this?
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As a DCS user, my biggest concern is; does the cleaning agent leave a film of any kind on the top of the rails? Thus, I use NOTHING but denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner, on soft cotton shop rags.
Another issue concerns how much of the metal comes off the track. Metal particles are not good for the motor, gears, or wheels. Plus any left over film could affect traction tires.
I think HW is correct in who to clean track.
Yes: They work. this video is from my You Tube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA42gFb05ds
Posted: January 2013, on YT.
and
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Does the pad 'catch' or tear when going over turnouts?
Thx
Alex
Ingeniero No1 posted:Does the pad 'catch' or tear when going over turnouts?
Thx
Alex
Hi Alex: Sometimes it may catch on a Lionel Tubular Switch but not an issue to discontinue this process. The car just keeps on going, no stopping. I also run a boxcar behind this car, with magnets on the bottom of the car to pick up any metal junk.
At this same time, I also run a North East Track cleaning car to dry off the track. To see this car. Click here.
Hope this helps..... and
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Hey Gary, You just gave me a reason to buy a flat car at Menard's.
They have a box full of flat cars I think are under $10.
I would be somewhat concerned that they'd leave a residue on the track. Surely, some of you remember Lee's encounter with Simple Green. Be careful what cleaning products you use for the track!
gunrunnerjohn posted:I would be somewhat concerned that they'd leave a residue on the track. Surely, some of you remember Lee's encounter with Simple Green. Be careful what cleaning products you use for the track!
That is true! However he(L.W.) used Simple Green to clean some of his Fastrack. Not sure if Mr. Clean Eraser pads would do that kind of damage to any other kind of track or not. So if in doubt use any product to clean only one or two sections of track and wait 2 days (48 hours)to see what happens.
Lee Fritz
phillyreading posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:I would be somewhat concerned that they'd leave a residue on the track. Surely, some of you remember Lee's encounter with Simple Green. Be careful what cleaning products you use for the track!
That is true! However he(L.W.) used Simple Green to clean some of his Fastrack. Not sure if Mr. Clean Eraser pads would do that kind of damage to any other kind of track or not. So if in doubt use any product to clean only one or two sections of track and wait 2 days (48 hours)to see what happens.
Lee Fritz
There is always the continuing argument, however,,,,,,,,,,,why not use what EVERYONE already knows that works????
Although I prefer denatured alcohol, the regular alcohol seems to also work for lots of folks.
I mainly use rubbing alcohol and paper towels to clean my tubular track. I would use a hand or bath towel but I don't want to have a fight with the Frau(wife).
Lee Fritz
gunrunnerjohn posted:I would be somewhat concerned that they'd leave a residue on the track. Surely, some of you remember Lee's encounter with Simple Green. Be careful what cleaning products you use for the track!
Hi John: If you use these chemicals (see photo) and follow the process. Should be no residue. I am a member of The Detroit Model Railroad Club, we have to clean 6300 feet of hand laid track. • 2 Rail O Scale. We follow the same procedures. Isopropyl 91%. Along with hand cleaning with a track cleaning stone. Hope this helps. / Happy New Year.
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On my Gargraves and MTH Realtax I use Scotchbite pads. Every once in a while I use Googone and wipe it off with a soft cloth or paper towel. This all works well for me. I run TMCC and conventional.
I haven't installed DCS just yet so I can't speake for using these cleaners with the DCS application.
Do scotchbrite pads leave any scratch marks on the Gargraves Track?
trumptrain posted:On my Gargraves and MTH Realtax I use Scotchbite pads. Every once in a while I use Googone and wipe it off with a soft cloth or paper towel. This all works well for me. I run TMCC and conventional.
I haven't installed DCS just yet so I can't speake for using these cleaners with the DCS application.
A word of advice,,,,,,,,,if you ever decide to install the DCS control system, DO NOT USE that GooGone crap!!!!!! That stuff leaves a film on the track, which will destroy the DCS "signal", not to mention it damages the traction tires.
I've tried plenty of track cleaning methods.
I tried a Magic Eraser both dry and wet. I found it to flake and fall apart very easily making a mess on the layout, especially on the joints on my tubular track.
I used to swear by Goo Gone until I started having a TON of DCS issues and issues running conventional. I couldn't figure out why. I started taking track apart (tubular) and found all of the pins coated in greasy, black grime. A total mess. Had to throw a lot of track out.
I went to alcohol, which I still use rarely. Rarely, it would leave a slight amount of surface rust on my track but it always works well. I personally prefer a totally dry program and just use a dry cloth.
Don't waste your time or $$$ with a track cleaning car. Not worth it.
phillyreading posted:I mainly use rubbing alcohol and paper towels to clean my tubular track. I would use a hand or bath towel but I don't want to have a fight with the Frau(wife).
Lee Fritz
Do NOT EVER TRY THIS with a hand towel or bath towel, unless you are a fire fighter!!!I speak from experience here.Paper towels are fine, but I tried a regular wash towel one time, and it went up in flames!!!!I suppose it would be okay with the power off, but you can use paper towels with the POWER ON. I tried the same thing with the power on with a hand towel YEARS AGO,and POOF!!!! that towel went up like a roman candle!!!-You live and Learn!!!!
I use 91% alcohol with paper towels, with the power on usually.No problems ever with the fire issue.
But for safety's sake, turn the power off.Run a scotch brite over everything first, then I follow that up with the alcohol and paper towels.
Y
kennyb posted:I use 91% alcohol with paper towels, with the power on usually.No problems ever with the fire issue.
But for safety's sake, turn the power off.Run a scotch brite over everything first, then I follow that up with the alcohol and paper towels.
You're kidding me right? Using a flammable liquid with the power on? Completely stupid idea. And by the way, using paper towels or rags would make no difference. Both can and will go up in flames with the power on.
CRC Electrical Cleaner & a rag. No issues.
A good dry cleaning for short term maintenance can be done with old white cotton work socks. Simply slip one over your hand and push down with three fingers. You can move your hand around inside the sock and get many good cleanings out of one sock. Use can also use two socks on your two hands with your choice of cleaning solution on one sock and the dry wipe with the other. It is quick and easy and gives the socks a good re-purpose before throwing them out.
I use the good old fashion brightboy. I've tried a bunch of stuff and nothing works better than a brightboy. I wish that there was a magic bullet. There isn't.
I've heard from a bunch of folks recently that internally powered engines aren't far off. If that's true, three rails and track cleaning are gone.
Captain John posted:CRC Electrical Cleaner & a rag. No issues.
Are you using MTH DCS command?
Which type of track is being cleaned?
Sheet Steel.
Solid Stainless steel
Solid Nickel-silver
I have been using CRC Electrical cleaner for years on Gargraves Stainless Track, Ross & Curtis switches & running DCS & Legacy with no issues.
I've used the Mr. Clean Majic Eraser by hand and it worked fine. I dampened it in water and squeezed most of it out prior to using. Afterwards I made sure there was no standing water on the track.
I've only cleaned my track twice since going BPRC, but used the eraser both times when doing so.
I use brake clean on a paper towel and scotch bright pads
kennyb posted:phillyreading posted:I mainly use rubbing alcohol and paper towels to clean my tubular track. I would use a hand or bath towel but I don't want to have a fight with the Frau(wife).
Lee Fritz
Do NOT EVER TRY THIS with a hand towel or bath towel, unless you are a fire fighter!!!I speak from experience here.Paper towels are fine, but I tried a regular wash towel one time, and it went up in flames!!!!I suppose it would be okay with the power off, but you can use paper towels with the POWER ON. I tried the same thing with the power on with a hand towel YEARS AGO,and POOF!!!! that towel went up like a roman candle!!!-You live and Learn!!!!
I have NEVER had the power on when cleaning any track as you are asking for trouble!! When the power is on you feel the electrical current some so that is completely foolish in my opinion to have the power on or the transformer plugged in. You need to use common sense when cleaning track.
Would you clean the blades on your ceiling fan while the blades are turning? I really doubt it so why have the power turned on for your track??
Lee Fritz
I use acetone on terry cloth rags to clean all brands of track.
After working for a company who made these and I ran some testing on them I can tell you with absolute certainty there are no cleaning agents or chemicals in the magic eraser. The cleaning ability comes from the abrasive quality of the edges of the foam cells. The residue that nay be left behind would be particles of foam
tncentrr posted:I use acetone on terry cloth rags to clean all brands of track.
Yikes!
Hot Water posted:There is always the continuing argument, however,,,,,,,,,,,why not use what EVERYONE already knows that works????
Although I prefer denatured alcohol, the regular alcohol seems to also work for lots of folks.
Thought I read somewhere they recommended the denatured version for rubber tires.
Interesting comments all.
Many people use track cleaning cars of some sort. Are you saying it is dangerous to use these cars with any cleaning solvent (alcohol) for fear of a fire? Obviously power is on when using a track cleaning car.
Paul
For cleaning track by hand, I buy a bag of rags at the paint department of the hardware store. The rags are white knit cotton (T-shirt material) and I cut them into handkerchief size, fold them, and wipe the track. I have denatured alcohol and Ronsonol lighter fluid. I clean by hand with alcohol and saturate the track cleaning car pad with Ronsonol. Usually, I turn off track power for hand cleaning, but the track car is shoved or pulled by a locomotive with clean wheels and rollers, under power. I have never had a spark.
Well this generated some discussion. I am intrigued by the comment that the Mr. Clean pads contain no chemical agents.
Railrunnin posted:Interesting comments all.
Many people use track cleaning cars of some sort. Are you saying it is dangerous to use these cars with any cleaning solvent (alcohol) for fear of a fire? Obviously power is on when using a track cleaning car.
Paul
Paul,
Yes, it is dangerous. Using flammable fluids to clean powered track is asking for trouble. Some people may have done this for years with no problem, however it only takes one spark or short to cause a fire. Lionel's original track cleaning fluid was non-flammable.
Good evening, reading down thru all the posts I have to admit never thought about the issue of cleaning track when it is powered up and using a flammable solvent and having a fire !!!
I am running MTH DCS, Gargraves Track and Ross switches or turnouts (which ever term you prefer) and all I ever use is a 220 sanding block that you can buy at any hardware store and a cloth rag from any old white Tee shirt to wipe the tops of the rails clean.
Once either one of these items get to dirty, throw them in the trash and get a new one, usually once a year for the sanding block and go thru one tee shirt thru a season.
I may not run my trains at all thru the summer months so the track will get dirty.
My MTH engines with the DCS System will barely move let alone making a full loop to get a track signal reading thru the DCS system.
I go over the track with the sanding block and a rag and after a few laps of the engine and train I am reading 9 and 10's for track signal and 7's going thru some switch's or turnouts.
In locations of the layout that is hard to reach I do use a track cleaning car (Trackman "O" - 2000) and run the engine backwards so the track cleaning car is going over the rails first before the engine.
Go so far up the track and then pull forward and basically do a small section of track at a time.
I can't get in to wipe off the rails with a rags so I rely on the track cleaning car to do the work.
I never really wanted to use a solvent on my rails due to the fact my rails are painted and was afraid the solvent may take the paint off the side of the rails and then I would be back out there with a paint brush touching up the rail with paint.
Stay safe out there !!!!!!
I've used Goo Gone with my centerline cars on Gar Graves track for 20 years. I also use a home made car with a Scotch Brite pad
About once a year I go over the track by hand with Goo Gone and white rags I buy at home depot.
I run DCS, TMCC and conventional (post war thru current Williams) and have no issues.
There's a lot of ways to clean track IMO none of them are perfect. Some don't sound like a good idea. I suspect the type of track you use could require different methods.
NJCJOE posted:Railrunnin posted:Interesting comments all.
Many people use track cleaning cars of some sort. Are you saying it is dangerous to use these cars with any cleaning solvent (alcohol) for fear of a fire? Obviously power is on when using a track cleaning car.
Paul
Paul,
Yes, it is dangerous. Using flammable fluids to clean powered track is asking for trouble. Some people may have done this for years with no problem, however it only takes one spark or short to cause a fire. Lionel's original track cleaning fluid was non-flammable.
Joe, if I clean using alcohol when the power is off, can I assume it evaporates in minutes and eliminates any chance of fire? Also, what solvent or liquid works and is not flammable to use when powered up and running a track cleaning car?
Thanks Joe,
Paul
