Ultra-sonic cleaning?

S

Sarah Winfield

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I continue with my track cleaning and whilst one of the previously mentioned liquids do change the colour of the rail and therefore presumably cleans it, there is still some work required afterwards. What the soaking in the liquid doesn't achieve is to get rid of the gunge inside the fish-plate nor at the bottom of the rail where the opposite fish-plate was pushed.

I am trying to clean that area with cotton buds but it isn't altogether successful without some significant elbow-grease. I wondered therefore before some investigation whether a member may have tried aforesaid title subject, please?

Thank you,

Sarah Winfield
 
I do have an ultrasonic cleaner I use for small scales bits and pieces eg. degreasing chassis etc. I doubt it would have any effect on tarnished rail though.
 
Sarah Winfield said:
I continue with my track cleaning and whilst one of the previously mentioned liquids do change the colour of the rail and therefore presumably cleans it, there is still some work required afterwards. What the soaking in the liquid doesn't achieve is to get rid of the gunge inside the fish-plate nor at the bottom of the rail where the opposite fish-plate was pushed.

I am trying to clean that area with cotton buds but it isn't altogether successful without some significant elbow-grease. I wondered therefore before some investigation whether a member may have tried aforesaid title subject, please?

Thank you,

Sarah Winfield
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Try a toothbrush for all those little places
 
Not wishing to put your cleaner in danger, have you tried it at all? I expect there are different types depending on the arduous nature of that which requires cleaning.

Having watched a u-tube video they seem to be efficient. I'm just investigating an alternative to the various fluids suggested and to make my life easier.

Sarah Winfield
 
I Have one as well, bought to clean motorbike carbs, it did the job in that it removes grease well, but items don't come out looking like I expected there was some brass parts on my carbs and it did clean them but didn't leave them nice and shiny looking. I have never tried putting track in it I doubt it would really clean up the ends of tracks unless you added something to the tank better than the basic cleaning solution and then I have my doubts.
 
I was told that I could strip paint off a Bachmann tram using a dishwasher on a "delicate cycle". It did work but I spent 45mins cleaning the paint which came off in large flakes out of the filter....
 
another track cleaning thread gone awry... I'm having a hard time Sarah, if you were having trouble springing for the cost of the fluid cleaners, how you would justify a ultrasonic cleaner... I have had several, and can tell you that it would make no difference on the rail ends, it MIGHT clean the joiners a bit, but you would want to still use an acidic solution. The cost of a good ultrasonic cleaner is a bit high, the cheap ones would not clean the joiners. You still need to consider rail clamps.

Greg
 
The clamps will have to wait until either I am forced into fitting them or I can obtain some at a good price.

I welcome your comments though. Thanks Greg.

Sarah
 
Not wishing to begin another debate but I hear it isn't good to use an abrasive on the top of the rail.

Is there a majority consensus in favour of a yes or no!

Sarah Winfield
 
Sarah Winfield said:
Not wishing to begin another debate but I hear it isn't good to use an abrasive on the top of the rail.

Is there a majority consensus in favour of a yes or no!

Sarah Winfield
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LGB Track Block 50040 are a little on the abrasive side but they are the best bet for surface cleaning in my humble view. Plus being an LGB Product should be a recommended good buy and bet. Somewhat like a Peco one but bigger.

Most certainly better than some of the sage advice to use Emery Cloth or even Scotchbright which are even more abrasive or impossible to use (scotchbright) unless mounted on a wagon.
 
Sarah Winfield said:
Not wishing to begin another debate but I hear it isn't good to use an abrasive on the top of the rail.

Is there a majority consensus in favour of a yes or no!

Sarah Winfield
Click to expand...

I will let you make up your own mind, but for me, abrasives scratch the rail surface. These scratches accumulate dirt. The train then spreads the dirt, then the trains stop.
 
Got it, as a matter of fact, just commented on your other track cleaning thread, so price is #1 priority, and ease of implement
No72 said:
I clean both track and overhead mechanically... Abrasive pads with a dremel .... https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/40-Pcs-...epid=0&hash=item3af1e358dd:g:e9oAAOSw-k1a9RA6
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I see the words abrasive, and seems people jumped a bit... if you look at the product, the "abrasive" is really like "ScotchBrite" which is a very mild abrasive open weave material... we use it in the kitchen on dishes, and it comes in various grades.

I use those small wheels myself, and they are great for many jobs where you don't want a wheel that will "dig in" to the surface.

The only downside in my experience with them, is they wear out quickly at Dremel speeds...

Greg
 
Greg Elmassian said:
Got it, as a matter of fact, just commented on your other track cleaning thread, so price is #1 priority, and ease of implement


I see the words abrasive, and seems people jumped a bit... if you look at the product, the "abrasive" is really like "ScotchBrite" which is a very mild abrasive open weave material... we use it in the kitchen on dishes, and it comes in various grades.

I use those small wheels myself, and they are great for many jobs where you don't want a wheel that will "dig in" to the surface.

The only downside in my experience with them, is they wear out quickly at Dremel speeds...

Greg
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Yes they don't last long especially if you apply too much pressure, Around 15 - 20000 rpm and very light pressure. Imagine the cost if you used the genuine Dremel ones???????
 
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