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 Posted - March 22 2008 : 11:46:42 PM
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I just received my old Tyco train set from my Dad. It has run in twenty years, but seems to want to go. The track is badly tarnished (from age/oxidization).
What's the best way to clean? Isopropyl (Rubbing) alcohol? Or is there a specific type of train cleaner that I can use/buy?
Thanks,
Andor
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Posted - March 23 2008 : 12:01:23 AM
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| Yes you can use rubbing alcohol. A pumice stone works great also. DO not use STEEL WOOL. The fibers left behind can get sucked up into motor and burn it up. Scotch-Brite pads are safe as i believe Tyco use to include a small square one in train sets as i remember getting one in a set for christmas one year. If train does not run after cleaning track-you may want to consider to upgrade to nickel silver as Tyco Tru-Steel -if corroded badly will not conduct the current even after a good cleaning. Locomotive wheels should be cleaned good to. Hope this helps
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Posted - March 23 2008 : 7:41:56 PM
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I bought a full circle of Tyco steel track a while ago that was badly tarnished and starting to rust. I had to sand the tops of the rails to get a train to run on it. I started with a powerdrill with a sanding head, and then worked my way down to fine sandpaper. Eventually I had a smooth finish, and the trains ran very well on it.
Your track probably isn't as bad as mine was though, so just do what Brian said. If the train still doesn't work well, buy some nickel track.
-cheez
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Posted - March 24 2008 : 12:37:05 PM
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| I've had great success with an electrical contact spray (mine is called CD Electronic Cleaner-Marine). I just spray some on a rag, and wipe the rails. Dirt, tarnish, everything seems to come off. Might be worth a try. A local hardware store might have it (got mine at Ace).
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 Posted - March 25 2008 : 08:06:05 AM
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Great! Thanks guys, I'll let you know what worked.
- Andor
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Ryan
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Posted - March 30 2008 : 10:14:05 PM
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| I used some Never-Dull wadding polish to clean my rails. If you get it on the plastic it might dull it a little but so far it's been working fine.. I might try the contact spray below also..
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Ryan
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Posted - March 31 2008 : 8:46:13 PM
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I use "Never Dull" between a paid of pliers or tweezers and run this along the track. This is keeping most of the never dull away from the platic. I noticed that if I get it on the plastic that it fades the plastic a little. After I clean with "Never Dull" I clean the track with soap and water. Then I make sure I dry each tack well.. They really shine...
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 Posted - May 02 2021 : 12:08:06 AM
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Update this thread with a helpful video from the internet. Not my video.
Just letting you know about this possible solution for any track cleaning situations.
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Posted - May 02 2021 : 09:23:01 AM
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well i use Isopropyl (Rubbing) alcohol,gets them clean and drys in seconds,its also what i clean my plasma/led tvs with
catfordken
if you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel,try turning around
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