Peco track cleaning problem after ballasting

videobruce Jul 16, 2022

  1. videobruce

    videobruce TrainBoard Member

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    I have been unable to fully clean off the residue of Elmer's glue (assuming that is what it is) off the track that has changed the appearance from bright Nickle Silver to a 'brass' look causing poor electrical contact. Apparent when looking at track that hasn't been ballasted.

    I've used a non abrasive 'track erasure' and Mineral Spirits to no avail. Any ideas? I have ordered two different abrasive track cleaners, one being Pecos.
     
  2. Dogwood

    Dogwood TrainBoard Member

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    What does the item description say about the adhesive? Does it have a caustic property?
     
  3. NtheBasement

    NtheBasement TrainBoard Member

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    If its dried Elmer's I can usually get it off the top of the rail by rubbing along it hard with my fingernail or with hard wood like a popsickle stick.
     
  4. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Try a Scotch-Brite pad, slightly moist. The moisture will soften the Elmer's and the pad will absorb the residue.
    Of course, this assumes you used Elmer's or similar water soluble adhesive.
     
  5. videobruce

    videobruce TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, it is dried Elmer's. There doesn't appear to be a 'crust' at all. How about the discoloring?

    BTW, Elmer's is about as safe as one gets.
     
  6. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    I can't address discoloration. Elmer's, being milk-based, might be slightly acidic. So, it's possible you're seeing a minor chemical reaction with the rail material. Though, I haven't seen any problems with all the ballasting I've done, at home and at the museum with Peco, Shinohara, Kato, and Bachmann track.

    Is it possible you used another chemical earlier when you installed or cleaned the track?
     
  7. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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    Used to be milk based, a long long time ago, but no longer.
     
  8. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    I'm still trying to figure out how you got glue on the top of the rail when ballasting. Also, the yellow discoloration seems odd. Did you use Elmer's white glue or the yellow wood glue? The white glue is easily dissolved in water but the yellow glue is not.
     
  9. Dogwood

    Dogwood TrainBoard Member

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    Just try it with a track rubber.
    Do you have a rubber?
     
  10. nscalestation

    nscalestation TrainBoard Supporter

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    What I have been doing after painting track and after ballasting is to scrape along the rails with a razor blade as a first pass followed by a track rubber then an application of NO-OX.
     
  11. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    Try PineSol, rub some on it and let it set for a few minutes. It works to safely strip most paints without hurting plastic.
     
  12. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Some WD40 on a rag. If it takes tar etc. off a car without hurting it it will work to clean rail. That and the dielectric constant of WD40 is low enough to compete with most rail cleaning/treatment solutions.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Dogwood

    Dogwood TrainBoard Member

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    That's very interesting. Do you possibly have a link to this?
     
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  14. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Just do a right-click in the middle of the image. Left-click Copy Image. Execute Word. Paste in a blank page. Left-click on Quick Print.
     
  15. MK

    MK TrainBoard Member

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  16. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    It must be all that extra nickel in Peco track. Er... no...that's Kato.

    :D

    Doug
     
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  17. Dogwood

    Dogwood TrainBoard Member

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    So I'm capable of that.
     
  18. videobruce

    videobruce TrainBoard Member

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    It was sprayed on. Too many tracks too close together to 'dribble it on'. I saw it successfully done (in HO) and copied his method.
    Yes it was white glue.

    Left side no ballast, right side ballast;

    discolorization.JPG

    The yard in question is on the right;

    Class & S Yards.JPG
     
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  19. videobruce

    videobruce TrainBoard Member

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    I used Mineral Spirits, no lubrication involved to clean off. I saw that list some time ago and found it interesting what NOT to use!
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2022
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  20. videobruce

    videobruce TrainBoard Member

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    I prepped it with 'wet water' (IPA & water). The glue had some IPA mixed in (maybe 15%) also instead of dish soap.
     

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