***Very wishful thinking would be my opinion - there have been many suggested miracle rail preparations however with most, unless your layout is in a totally dust free environment, they will simply leave an oily film that will help to hold the dirt on the rails.

By all means give it a go - there is no harm in experimenting, but personally I think vacuuming the track area and using Isopropyl alcohol to clean the rail itself, with something like the CMX cleaner, will do the job.

regards

Richard

 

Brake fluid is well known for its paint stripping abilities but track cleaning? Give it a go but keep it away from your models. I have the same doubts as Richard.

 

From my experience using it for its intended purpose, I suspect the transmission / brake fluid will do a grand job of 'cleaning' the rails leaving some nice shiny metal and certainly removing other residues... however it will leave lovely oily film in their place to attract the next batch of dust etc as has been said. I also suspect it will have a fair crack at removing any paint you used to weather your rails, any paint on your models and then anywhere else it seeps onto.

Having seen what it does to car paintwork, 'avoid like the plague' would be my advice...

 

hi guy's
i was dubious knowing what it does to paint work but just thought i would run it by you all there is always somone more knowledgeable out there

 

Autotransmission fluid is a lubricant, generally it is poorer stuff than engine oil, that said it has some detergent and although any solvent material in it might help clean the track it will also lubricate it, this will lead to loss of traction, getting rid to it will be difficult. It is unlikely to strip paint just depends on the formulation and it should be reasonably harmless otherwise.

There are other solutions for instance lighter fuel, does a great job but is vicious and really will strip paint, got to be very careful with this stuff.

Nail varnish remover, can be Ok but lubricates the track causing slipping, not very good really.

Household sprays, again the detergent can lubricate the track.

Lighter fuel spray, this freezes as it goes onto the rag, evaporates quickly however and no residue, I find that this is quite good applied to a peco wheel cleaner brush.

Track rubber these can work Ok but leaves behind rubber residue.

Mystery Towcaster formula, cheap, readily available and has always worked best for me.

 

I have been using meths as a track cleaner, with good results and no apparent problems, anyone know of any reason why this could be unadvisable.

Keith.

 

*** sounds fine to me... IPA and Meths are both alcohols and will do the job similarly

regards

Richard

 

QUOTE (Richard Johnson @ 16 Feb 2013, 16:33) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>*** sounds fine to me... IPA and Meths are both alcohols and will do the job similarly

regards

Richard

Just make sure your IPA does not come in a bottle like this

This type of IPA will leave a sticky residue on the track. Should you find you have purchased this in error the best course of action is to pour it into a glass and drink while playing trains

 

QUOTE (Essex2Visuvesi @ 16 Feb 2013, 14:38) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Just make sure your IPA does not come in a bottle like this

This type of IPA will leave a sticky residue on the track. Should you find you have purchased this in error the best course of action is to pour it into a glass and drink while playing trains

No chance, I keep to dry cider and rum and shall not be wasting that on the track.

Regards, Keith.