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CRC-2-26 on tracks

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yvesmary:
I cleaned my entire layout using lacquer thinner with Q-tips. Then I rubbed a 2B graphite stick on the rails and my locos run nicely.

I also clean the wheels with lacquer thinner before I put any piece of equipment on the track.

Over time dust settles on everything and I'll have to dust off the rolling stock and track.

So I was wondering when I wipe off the track if that will rub off the graphite too?

Yves in Alberta

Dean:
I use CRC 2-26 to clean my rails using a CMX rail cleaner. This cleans the rails and improves conductivity.  But I wipe the rails with a dry applicator attached to the CMX rail cleaner. Running a clean cloth over the track, it appears there is still a film of the CRC 2-26 on the rails. This process seems to be working well for me.
Never tried the graphite.

Alan:
The film is presumably the solids component of 2-26. Namely butyl stearic and petrolatum, both of which are waxes. The wax film left behind is the mechanism by which 2-26 prevents corrosion (wax is hydrophobic) and lubricates (wax is slippery). The remainder of the 2-26 evaporates away.

I know it is popular and I am glad it is working for you but I won't be applying wax to my rails anytime soon. CRC 2-26 being waxy and with a dielectric strength of over 50,000 volts doesn't exactly scream good for rails. 2-26 in its recommended uses is sprayed and not wiped. The petrol distillates clean components and then the waxes coat and protect. 2-26 that gets on electrical contacts (relays, brushes, etc.) is immediately worn away by contact wiping action. The remaining wax film on everything else, including contacts edges, prevents corrosion and current leakage paths.

I suspect the success of modelers using 2-26 on rails is not a result of the inherit protection component in 2-26 but rather from the cleaning ability of the petrol distillates and the mechanical abrasion of the cloth, pad, or whatever applicator. Mostly the mechanical abrasion. The wax film is not desirable on rails (dielectric) but is all but wiped away in a typical modeler track cleaning application. For proof mechanical action is extremely effective try rubbing the rails with a pencil eraser. Awesome!

CRC 2-26 datasheet: http://www.crcindustries.com/faxdocs/msds/2005.pdf
CRC 2-26 overview: http://www.crcindustries.com/ei/product_detail.aspx?id=02005

I have to side with Yves. Lacquer thinner is what I use as it is an excellent solvent for track cleaning and is 100% volatile so no residue. For instances of especially bad track condition I use my giant eraser from the dollar store.

G8B4Life:
I've always wondered why we modellers must clean our tracks the way we do, so to speak.

Forgetting the reason of usually our rails carry power to run our trains and pretend our locomotives are self contained (dead rail) if I went out
tomorrow and built a model railway line and a real railway line and didn't run anything for a week both lines would be oxidised and dirty.

If I then ran a dozen or so trains on each the real railway line would be nice clean and shiny on the running surface with no other cleaning other
than running the trains themselves yet the model railway line would still be somewhat oxidised and dirty, possibly even more so. There must be
some scientific reason why.

- Tim

Alan:

--- Quote ---There must be some scientific reason why.
--- End quote ---
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