Track cleaning comes up fairly regularly and everyone seems to have their own favorite method, which works for them.

The link to this video was posted on another forum, but I would be interested to know what members here think.



The video is four years old and although I agree it's best not to use abrasives like track rubbers if possible, I'm not sure about his suggestion about using a solvent like acetone (4:56), sounds like it could do some damage if you're not very careful.

Interestingly his bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol (1:27) was only 91% and and I was under he impression you have to use 99%.

I'm also dubious about his statement (1:40) "alcohol is a polar solvent which means it attracts dirt right back to the surface you just cleaned"

Is there a chemist out there than can shed any light on any of this.



Ed

 

I'm no chemist Ed but I've read about these polar/non polar cleaners before.

I use my CMX with IPA and it does a great job.  My main grouse is the speed at which these high alcohol content cleaners evaporate.  Additionally, to clean all my track, I need to remove the rolling stock most of which normally resides on the layout.

After running round with the CMX I don't treat the track with anything else and admit to occasionally having to resort to a track rubber in odd spots.  The Gaugemaster rubber which I think is probably kinder than the Peco one.

I'm sticking with 99% IPA as well Peter, but on my small layout it will be with a lint free cloth.

It was his statements about IPA being a polar solvent and attracting dirt and the use of acetone (nail varnish remover?) that interested me.

He has some positive comments, but I suppose it just proves you shouldn't believe everything you see on YouTube.


Ed

I agree with you about acetone Ed - nasty stuff - it would certainly make an excellent "dip and stip" for your carefully applied paint job to say nothing of your plastic sleepered flexi-curves ………………….

I've watched another couple of videos, a couple suggesting electrical contact grease for  improving conductivity, but a lot of this seems to stem from an article in MRH from May 2109 which explains the polar/non-polar cleaners.

Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

Makes interesting reading.


Ed

I subscribe to Model Railway Hobbyist Ed but find it rather too American for my tastes so am about to unsubscribe.

Their parent, Trainmasters TV,  I find is becoming too commercial,  a bit "samey" in the videos and seems to be aimed more at the beginner so that too is about to go.