Cleaning LGB Track

Flying Scot

Flying Scot

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I am thinking of buying some rather cheap old ex garden outdoor track, the rails are black and the sleepers are filthy.

I know how to get the top of the rails clean, some old elbow grease and green scotch pads :)

BUT I was wondering, since these are short parts of track, would a wash or two in my dishwasher bring the plastic sleepers back looking good

He He is LGB track Dishwasher Safe? :clap:

Thanks
 
Possibly, but it may not be Wife Safe if you mess up the dishwasher..... ;)

I'd probably be more inclined to put them outside and use a pressure washer on them, or just fill a large garden tray with warm water and washing-up liquid and give 'em a go with a scrubbing brush (again, best done outdoors to avoid Domestic Wrath....).

Jon.
 
Hi, I always clean my LGB track and points up in the dishwasher if I want to sell it. It is weatherproof and doesn't even get as hot as when it is a hot day you can't touch the rails.
 
Coca Cola - yes seriously. The cheap supermarket own brand stuff. It is dilute phosphoric acid. Rinse after use.
 
stockers said:
Coca Cola - yes seriously. The cheap supermarket own brand stuff. It is dilute phosphoric acid. Rinse after use.
Click to expand...

Coca-Cola is a great idea - have you ever seen what it can do to a penny?

Biological washing powder in warmish water is good too. It can remove lots of stains and engrained dirt, tea stains etc.

James
 
I have preasured washed the loose crud off the Track from the layout I recovered Friday Week, but rail is of course well tarnished. Scrubbing with an LGB Track Rubber will return surface to operational juice pick up. Rail Joiners certainly need the Cola treatment. But why bother to get back to as bought shiny look? After a few months in the Garden and the sleepers will be back to grotty matt again.
JonD
 
The brass parts of the track can be cleaned with vinegar in a plastic bacon container , but make sure you clean them with water to neutralise any residual vinegar which in fact is acid the plastic track can also be brought up niece and clean with a soak in warm soapy water and a suede brush to rid the detritus. The biggest problem you will have is to make a really good job you will have to take the track apart.
 
After using vinegar, I would place in the dish washer and all the vinegar will be gone for sure.
Be sure to turn the dish washer on as just putting them in there does no good. HE HE HE
 
I had to jet wash my track (or rather Anglian Water had to) as it got covered in sewage when the mains got blocked.

Worked fine afterwards....
 
Gizzy said:
I had to jet wash my track (or rather Anglian Water had to) as it got covered in sewage when the mains got blocked.

Worked fine afterwards....
Click to expand...
Makes a change from leaves on the line! Still I bet the water guys enjoyed playing with your layout.
 
I run all my second hand LGB track thru the dishwasher, then use my LGB track polishing block to put a shine to the top of the rails and back in my track power days I would use a brass wire wheel in my dremel motor tool to polish the area the rail joiners slide over. But I am all dead rail now, onboard batteries in my LGB engines and live steam. But I still polish the rail heads, the metal wheels sound better on clean rail vs grungy rail that has grit and grime in the oil left by my live steamer. No wife issues with my dishwasher use. I do all the kitchen work in our family! Mike
 
My LGB track had been in the garden for 10 years, then I had to lift it and move the layout indoors. As I use the rails for track power, I needed to get the ends of the rails very clean so the rail clamps would make good contact and hence the electricity would flow. Someone suggested I used HP sauce (other brands available but not tested). So I rubbed some HP sauce on the rail ends, left them overnight, them washed it off with a old toothbrush and water. It worked.
 
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