 Joined: 27/12/2009(UTC) Posts: 1,165 Location: Western Cape Cape Town
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I have read on the forum that lighter fluid is good to clean wheels; can it also be used to thoroughly clean C track?...Or is isoprophyl alcohol still the best?? (I have the PECO eraser, but that means I have to get out the vacuum to clean up all the bits of grit n stuff.....)....  I used benzine once upon a time, on the old M track, worked well, but the fumes kinda sends us on a trip...  Joe
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 Joined: 27/07/2009(UTC) Posts: 5,862 Location: Leesburg,VA.USA
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Hi Joe, I've found that the erasers just get real black, real fast. Now I just use 1/2 of a paper towel at a time on each rail. They get black real fast. Cheers,Peter 
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 1 user liked this useful post by petestra
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Joined: 23/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 2,597 Location: Beverly, MA
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Hi Joe,all, Originally Posted by: Joe Meiring  I have read on the forum that lighter fluid is good to clean wheels; can it also be used to thoroughly clean C track?...Or is isoprophyl alcohol still the best?? (I have the PECO eraser, but that means I have to get out the vacuum to clean up all the bits of grit n stuff.....).... I used benzine once upon a time, on the old M track, worked well, but the fumes kinda sends us on a trip... Joe Isoprophyl alcohol is a safe and fine cleaning agent for your C-track and wheels.Why? Readily available,cheap and it dries quickly.There was a discussion on the B&G of 'new' formula's for cleaning track,...I can check,...(?) Never use an abrasive-Bright Boy,Peco,Roco or sandpaper even 2,000 grit(!) to clean your tracks.They will scratch and pit the railheads,where the dirt will never leave!  The things a MRR can do is run their trains as often as possible(same does for DC).If life doesn't allow that have a maintenance program,that is always run a track cleaning car in an operating session or AS an operating session.Rotate your your rolling stock/loks for cleaning.One problem is that you your tracks are clean but your rolling stock is not and is depositing 'crud' back on the rails. Dr D 
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1 user liked this useful post by kbvrod
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 Joined: 21/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 383
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I use a Fleischmann cleaning block, but I have use alchol in the past. |
Author of the gritty sci-fi novel 'Stories of Earth: WWIII' (featuring an awesome train chase)
Avid YouTuber (XtremeTrainz and TrainzXtreme) and train person! |
1 user liked this useful post by Dimi194
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Joined: 27/12/2009(UTC) Posts: 1,165 Location: Western Cape Cape Town
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Thanks everyone - iv'e noticed just how fast the tracks get real black!! Seems like the alcohol is the route to go. Tried my fingers, and it works well on the rails, but not such a clever idea running them over the studs - OUCH, ended up with one bleeding finger-luckily I have some nurses standing on the platform that could assist pronto..who said playing trains is boring1?!!
Joe
You so right Dr D....some of my coach wheels are seriosly encrusted with dirt...kinda defeating the object by having shiny rails, but not checkin the wagon wheels....so I know what's on the menu this weekend!
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Joined: 23/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 2,597 Location: Beverly, MA
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Hi Joe,all, Originally Posted by: Joe Meiring Thanks everyone - iv'e noticed just how fast the tracks get real black!! Seems like the alcohol is the route to go. Tried my fingers, and it works well on the rails, but not such a clever idea running them over the studs - OUCH, ended up with one bleeding finger-luckily I have some nurses standing on the platform that could assist pronto..who said playing trains is boring1?!!
Joe
You so right Dr D....some of my coach wheels are seriosly encrusted with dirt...kinda defeating the object by having shiny rails, but not checkin the wagon wheels....so I know what's on the menu this weekend! A couple of other things I failed to mentioned,...after a swipe of the iso,give the rails a dry swipe(lint-free cloth if possible),you will get more 'crud' off.Wheels,I know this maybe be a pain,but have some spares.Soak the old ones and switch to clean ones. Dr D
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Joined: 28/07/2006(UTC) Posts: 880 Location: Augusta, GA USA
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I think lighter fluid (naphtha) cuts the grim much better than alcohol.
Eric
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Joined: 23/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 2,597 Location: Beverly, MA
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Hi all, Originally Posted by: sudibarba I think lighter fluid (naphtha) cuts the grim much better than alcohol.Eric Of course,one could use MEK also,...do you want to breath those fumes?  Dr D
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Joined: 28/07/2006(UTC) Posts: 880 Location: Augusta, GA USA
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Originally Posted by: kbvrod Hi all, Originally Posted by: sudibarba I think lighter fluid (naphtha) cuts the grim much better than alcohol.Eric Of course,one could use MEK also,...do you want to breath those fumes? Dr D I really don't think there is any issue. In fact, when I looked up the terrible MEK you referred to in the on line encyclopedia it was removed from some list of hazardous Mateials in 2005. Low exposure anyway in any normal application. I actually use acetone to clean track and lighter fluid for motors and wheels and frames. I started using lighter fluid (I now buy naphtha by the gallon instead of Ronson lighter fluid at the hardware store) based on advice from Helmut Wilkness many years ago. Eric
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Joined: 23/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 2,597 Location: Beverly, MA
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Hi Eric,all, Quote:I really don't think there is any issue. In fact, when I looked up the terrible MEK you referred to in the on line encyclopedia it was removed from some list of hazardous Mateials in 2005. Maybe,I can still get MEK at the local paint/hardware store.I have been dealing with these chemicals since 1990. Quote:Low exposure anyway in any normal application. I actually use acetone to clean track and lighter fluid for motors and wheels and frames.
I started using lighter fluid (I now buy naphtha by the gallon instead of Ronson lighter fluid at the hardware store) based on advice from Helmut Wilkness many years ago. My original post to Joe was to mean you should never have to get that point.Yes,sometimes you need more powerful chemicals to clean older equipment. Dr Dirt.
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Joined: 19/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 474 Location: Hudson FL
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I have sliced and diced my finger tips a few times! I feel it  Matt
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Joined: 28/07/2006(UTC) Posts: 880 Location: Augusta, GA USA
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Originally Posted by: mattj70 I have sliced and diced my finger tips a few times! I feel it Matt Not sure what you mean. Maybe latex gloves if you cut yourself? At any rate, any exposure is under your control. Eric
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Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC) Posts: 3,997
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Joined: 28/07/2006(UTC) Posts: 880 Location: Augusta, GA USA
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Originally Posted by: DaleSchultz Dale, I must admit I have not used the one you gave me but chose to keep it as a memento of my visits to your layout. When I finally get unpacked and set up here in Augusta, GA I will give it a try. Hope al is going well with you. Eric
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