Yup. Another track cleaning thread:-)

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PMW said:
Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with odorless mineral spirits?

Thanks, all
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Mineral spirits is what I use as well. I used to use IPA, but have switched after reading a thread on another forum. Supposedly it keeps the track cleaner longer. There seems to be some truth in that from my experience.

Plus I had a gallon can in the garage from cleaning the brushes I varnished all my door and window trim with.
 


If you're tired of your model railroad and just want to get rid of it, rub the rails down with a liberal splashing of Acetone. The ties should become soft and start warping in every direction in a short while and start releasing the rail to go wherever it wants to. Your rails will be really clean though.
 
D&J RailRoad said:
If you're tired of your model railroad and just want to get rid of it, rub the rails down with a liberal splashing of Acetone. The ties should become soft and start warping in every direction in a short while and start releasing the rail to go wherever it wants to. Your rails will be really clean though.
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It would be an easy way to model this then!

If this is the look your going for!

1718889294364.png
 
I don't have any firsthand knowledge, so I asked Microsoft's AI

Can I use mineral spirits to clean my model railroad track

Copilot
Yes, you can use mineral spirits to clean your model railroad track. It’s effective for removing dirt, grime, and oxidation from the rails. Here’s a simple method to do it:
  1. Preparation: Pour a small amount of mineral spirits into a container. Ensure you’re working in a well-ventilated area and wearing gloves to protect your skin12.
  2. Application: Dip a Q-tip or a soft cloth into the mineral spirits and gently wipe the railheads. Rotate the Q-tip or cloth to use a clean section as it picks up dirt3.
  3. Cleaning: Continue wiping until the Q-tip or cloth no longer picks up dirt. You may need to repeat this process a few times, depending on how dirty the tracks are3.
  4. Drying: After cleaning, use a dry Q-tip or cloth to wipe off any remaining mineral spirits from the rails3.
  5. Final Check: Inspect the tracks to ensure they are clean and free of any residue. This will help maintain good electrical contact for your trains3.
Using mineral spirits is a great way to keep your tracks in top condition.

My only thought was pipe cleaners might be better than Q-tips.
 


I've used a bunch of mineral spirits as part of my process for restoring several older wood stoves from the 1970's and 1980's. It's the final step before I paint the wood stoves.

The odorless mineral spirits leave more residue on the metal than the standard mineral spirits. I use an old t-shirt to apply it and wipe it off, because the old t-shirts I use are lint free.

The standard mineral spirits also evaporate very quickly, while the odorless mineral spirits seem to evaporate very slowly.
 
The above list was revised slightly about six-eight months ago if I recall. I haven't bookmarked it, but it's at MRH site. I believe kerosene was dethroned, but the CRC and WD-40, and the mineral spirits, remained near the top. Note that the first two are the 'contact cleaner' varieties, not the 'spray down your mower cables' variety.
 
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