Hi Mike H,
The Roco cleaning rubber is well worth a try, get mine from Howes of Oxford.
David
The Roco cleaning rubber is well worth a try, get mine from Howes of Oxford.
David
track cleaning
Hi - I have read a fair number of posts on the vexed subject of track cleaning. Is there a consensus? I invested in some Gaugemaster electronic track cleaners. They 'seem' to work quite well, but I am aware that there is still a residue that remains that needs ot be cleaned off. Is this so? And is the Peco cleaning rubber really as terrible as people say? Am I better off using a cloth and meths?
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QUOTE (Mike H. @ 28 Nov 2008, 12:19) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi - I have read a fair number of posts on the vexed subject of track cleaning. Is there a consensus? I invested in some Gaugemaster electronic track cleaners. They 'seem' to work quite well, but I am aware that there is still a residue that remains that needs ot be cleaned off. Is this so? And is the Peco cleaning rubber really as terrible as people say? Am I better off using a cloth and meths?
As any form of electronic track cleaner works by burning through the dirt they will all leave some form of residue that still needs cleaning. Basically, IMHO they are a crude device that "cures" one problem & "creates" another (good enough reason why we don't stock them).
Many people use the Peco rubber because it is the only one available, a product good in it's day but things move on - try a Roco one - you won't be dissapointed (send me a PM if you can't get one from your usual supplier).
As any form of electronic track cleaner works by burning through the dirt they will all leave some form of residue that still needs cleaning. Basically, IMHO they are a crude device that "cures" one problem & "creates" another (good enough reason why we don't stock them).
Many people use the Peco rubber because it is the only one available, a product good in it's day but things move on - try a Roco one - you won't be dissapointed (send me a PM if you can't get one from your usual supplier).
I have a CMX cleaner which works well getting at those places that are hard to reach. The combination of the brass body which gives weight and the velvet pad cleaning the track with isopropanol seems pretty good. I have gone off the rubbers which leave some residue and small particles which are a nightmare in N-gauge and made use of something that I have used in plastic modelling - Micro Mesh. Originally designed for polishing aircraft canopies it is now actually used for a whole variety of things where you need a high polish or clean finish. You can find it on e-bay but I originally got mine from Micro-Mark in the US and went for the Soft Touch Pad set (Micro mesh soft touch pad set). The pads just happen to be great for rubbing across track! It leaves no residue and gives the track a really great finish. Here is a bit of blurb about how it works:
Micro-Mesh's micro grains of abrasive are bonded to a soft cloth backing with a resilient adhesive. This construction cushions the abrasive, creating a smooth shaving action rather than gouging and abrading the surface. Micro-Mesh lasts far longer since its construction prevents the abrasive crystals from fracturing and overheating. You can get sheets of Micro-Mesh in 2400, 3200, 4000, 6000, 8000 and 12000 grit; foam sanding block; micro-gloss polishing cream; 13 inch x 17 inch non-woven polishing cloth and instructions. Can also be used for creating crystal clear finishes on canopies and windshields, polishing metals, and producing glass-smooth finishes on wood.
It really is excellent stuff but I have never seen anyone else mention it.
Regards
Geoff
Micro-Mesh's micro grains of abrasive are bonded to a soft cloth backing with a resilient adhesive. This construction cushions the abrasive, creating a smooth shaving action rather than gouging and abrading the surface. Micro-Mesh lasts far longer since its construction prevents the abrasive crystals from fracturing and overheating. You can get sheets of Micro-Mesh in 2400, 3200, 4000, 6000, 8000 and 12000 grit; foam sanding block; micro-gloss polishing cream; 13 inch x 17 inch non-woven polishing cloth and instructions. Can also be used for creating crystal clear finishes on canopies and windshields, polishing metals, and producing glass-smooth finishes on wood.
It really is excellent stuff but I have never seen anyone else mention it.
Regards
Geoff
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