Tip on removing paint from rails

[cncproadwarrior]

I have seen a few threads where someone painted/weathered their tracks and then needed to solder a joint or feed. I found myself in that situation and took a Q tip with a bit of acetone to remove the paint where I wanted to solder. Nail polish remover works fine too.

 

[Larry]

Acetone & nail polish remover is the same thing.

 

[cncproadwarrior]

Yes but nail polish remover is weaker than pure acetone.

 

[IronBeltKen]

Is pure acetone easily available to the "common man"?

 

[wheeler1963]

Ken, at most hardware, automotive and WalMart stores in the paint department.

 

[kenw]

Problem with only using a solvent is that you are basically thinning it and invariably some is left behind, albeit a thin layer. But in the wonderful world of electrical contacts a thin layer is just as bad as a thick layer.

After cleaning with a solvent, your final cleanings should be slightly abrasive to remove the film. A Bright Boy or masonite block should be sufficient once you’ve removed the bulk of the paint with a solvent.

 

[hamltnblue]

You don't need much surface area. Just use the tip of a small screwdriver to scratch the surface. Takes 5 seconds.

 

[ICG/SOU]

Thanks. I used the wire wheel since I didn't have any acetone on hand, and while the top of the rail was bright (from a bright boy), all that spray paint was in the web of the rail, which can be harder to clean out.

 

[cncproadwarrior]

Problem with only using a solvent is that you are basically thinning it and invariably some is left behind, albeit a thin layer. But in the wonderful world of electrical contacts a thin layer is just as bad as a thick layer.

After cleaning with a solvent, your final cleanings should be slightly abrasive to remove the film. A Bright Boy or masonite block should be sufficient once you’ve removed the bulk of the paint with a solvent.

I just dry the surface with a clean Q tip and haven't had a problem so far.

 

[jbaakko]

I clean my rail head with some cardboard soaked in paint thinner. It keeps me from accidentally rolling the thinner onto the sides of the rail.