anybody have anytips for cleaning rust off tracks wthout damaging them..?

cheers

Will 

Hi Will

Are we talking the old steel track here?

I don't know if it's possible to do a complete job so that the track is like new.
Solvents and 'rust killers' would probably damage the associated plastic.
I would probably use fine steel wool to shine up the top half of each rail and be prepared to vacuum out the debris created.
Not an easy job.

The problem with trying to clean rust off anything is that it will still leave a pitted and scratched surface that will attract track 'dirt' like flies to a jam pot. You could try very fine (2000 grit) wet and dry paper but even that will leave very fine scratches in the rail surface.

yeah it is the old steel track

Seems a bit masochistic to me.  Tell us more.  What draws you to steel rail?

And do you want some more? I've got a box full here.

Unfortunately, the best way to clean rust from old steel track is to put it in the dustbin and replace it with nickel-silver rail.

As Trevor said, whatever you clean it with will certainly damage the surface and leave pit marks which act like magnets for additional dirt.

Also, if you are not extremely careful, the fine "swarf" (or more like steel dust) will end up in your loco motors and ruin them too.

Your first loss is always you best loss ……………….;-)

I think I may have to replace them then…. I don't know why I have some steel track… some of it is nickel and some steels, it must just have been whatever was purchased…

Will

Probably best to replace if you can afford it, Will.
In the scheme of things, straight track is pretty cheap until you get to turnouts.

Definitely replace Will, even if the cost throws you back a few months with the other things you want to do. Replacing it will save you a world of frustration and trouble in the future.

Why not just polish the rail head and around the rail joiners… atleast this way you won't have to weather the rails…!!

Only joking. Like what has been previously mentioned, replace with nickel silver. But if you do intend to try and clean them up, run a rare earth magnet over them after cleaning to remove any of the fine rust particles.