NXEA! Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Hello, I've been weathering the track on my layout the last couple days and as I was going along I was wiping the rails with a wet cloth to get rid of any paint on the railhead but when I came to do a test run with a loco this evening, it wouldn't take power. I haven't got a track rubber, is there any household cleaning product I can use with a fresh cloth to remove any remaining paint residue from the rail so that the loco will take power? Thanks in advance! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete 75C Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 I found a pencil eraser will remove acrylic on the railhead, cleaning it at the same time. Not sure it would be effective on enamel. Obviously without the added grit of a track rubber, it needs a little more effort. The eraser will break up pretty quickly so stand by with the hoover. Pete. Edit: If the paint residue is still visible, you could try a new Stanley blade at a very shallow angle to the railhead, but go gently. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Road Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Try some meths on a cloth using your pointed finger to rub along the rail head . worked for me in the past . M b Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
34theletterbetweenB&D Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 I use the back of hardboard as my rail cleaner. Not yet found anything it won't shift off the rails, and that includes paint residue. Doesn't scratch the railhead, leaves minimal (easily removed) dust on the track. And of course it is FREE! as it is salvage from old furniture and the like, the greatest of all virtues to this tightwad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRealistic Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Don't forget to clean the inside of the rail head as well as the top... I remember being told! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew F Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Nail varnish remover from the pound shop on a piece of chamois leather will remove paint quickly from the rail top and the inner of the rail top. Make sure there's no residue by finishing of with a piece of wood as mentioned above. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted July 29, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 29, 2014 For future reference. EM Society track rubbers / cleaning blocks are excellent, non abrasive and don't break up too badly. Never use abrasive rubbers / anything to clean track, it will make things worse over time. http://www.emgs.org/images/stories/Price_List_32Ac_A4.pdf Get yourself a few if you can Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Alister_G Posted July 29, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 29, 2014 I use an offcut of planed 2 x 1 timber to clean off dried paint. the sharp planed edge cuts through the paint without damaging the rail head, and the cut end of the grain works well on the sides of the rail. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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