JOHN BRISTOW from Deluxe Materials gives us the lowdown on his track cleaning fluid, Track Magic.
Deluxe Materials Track Magic is a special cleaning fluid designed for cleaning model railway track, locomotive wheels and pickups and also for cleaning slot car metal tracks. Track Magic cleans metal parts to maximize their conductivity and it also improves the reliability of the flow of electrical current. It can revive old and dirty electric contacts and improve new ones in addition to keeping the parts cleaner for longer.
The components of Track Magic including the cleaning fluid, foam applicator, small beaker, a small pipette and micro applicator.
Track Magic comes as a bottle of 50 ml of Track Magic fluid plus a small pipette for sucking up some of the fluid from the bottle to transfer it to the supplied small plastic beaker. A 250ml Refill pack is also available.
There is a foam applicator for dipping in the Track Magic fluid then dragging it along the top of the rails plus a micro brush for applying the fluid to those parts of the points that will be impossible to reach with the foam applicator. The microbrush is also good for cleaning locomotive wheels and power collecting pickups.
Spare foam applicators and a pad are available.
Track Magic works in two ways - first it cleans then it protects so that its cleaning effect lasts longer than simply rubbing the track with a track cleaning block. The fluid dissolves microscopic oily contaminants to leave a clean conducting surface for the smooth and steady running of passing trains.
The fluid evaporates quickly leaving a conducting invisible film on the rails resisting rust and corrosion build up and thus reducing the need for further track maintenance. Usefully Track Magic works on track and locomotives for both digital (DCC) and analogue control systems. As users of DCC systems will know clean track is an essential part of well running trains so this product will be especially welcomed by DCC users.
To use Track Magic on the track the first step is to see how dirty the track is. Maybe the layout has stood idle and has gathered dust or has been stored in a damp location. If that is the case initially it may be best to use a track cleaning block or fine wet and dry paper to remove the heavy build up on the rails then use a vacuum to remove the debris to ensure that the track is clean. A glass fibre brush can also be used for cleaning the parts of the points that need to make contact to complete the electrical circuit. Cleaning the tops of the rails and the points is very important after weathering. Once the heavy deposits have been removed Track Magic should be used because it will get the track a lot cleaner than simply using a track rubber.
Use Track Magic to ensure that the track is as clean as it can be by using the small pipette to suck up some of the Track Magic from the bottle to transfer it to the supplied small plastic beaker. Then dip the foam applicator into Track Magic fluid and drag it carefully along the top of the rails. It will be worthwhile running the applicator along the inside edge of the rails (where some of the current will be picked up by the locomotive) to ensure that the track is as clean as it can be.
Then dip the micro brush in Track Magic to rub those parts of the points that will be impossible to reach with the foam applicator. This is especially important between the moving parts of the points where the electrical current is carried. Move the direction of the point as you do this to ensure that you clean both sides of the point.
By cleaning the track in these ways Track Magic will have cleaned the track and protected it from a future build up of dirt. Track Magic works on all types of track in all of the common scales. For OO scale and smaller you can clean both rails at once. For O scale and other larger scales just one rail can be cleaned at a time. Track Magic works on crossings, double slip points, narrow gauge and standard track and on track from all manufacturers.
o clean locomotive wheels (in all scales) dip the fine applicator in a beaker of Track Magic and rub the wheels - the flange and the flat part of the wheel. Run the applicator around the inner side of the wheel where the pickup touches the wheel and carefully drag the applicator between the pickup and the wheel to ensure that the surface of the pickup and the wheels are clean. You will need to move the locomotive wheels several times during this process to ensure that all of the wheels are fully cleaned.
Track Magic is versatile and can be used on a cloth to clean the rails as an alternative to using the foam applicator.
By using the suggested methods of using track Magic it should not be harmful to the track or locomotives but use of excessive amounts of the fluid is not recommended.
Mop up any spills of Track Magic with a paper kitchen towel or a cotton bud and dispose of the towel or cotton bud.
Carefully follow the instructions on the packaging.
The first step is to pour a little Track Magic into the beaker and "dunk" the foam applicator into the fluid.
To remove paint, glue and other heavy debris a track rubber might be needed the first time.
The Deluxe Materials foam applicator cleans both rails of N scale track at the same time.
The Deluxe Materials foam applicator cleans just one of the rails of O scale track at one time.
The Deluxe Materials foam applicator cleans both rails of OO scale track at the same time.
This piece of rail was cleaned with a track rubber then Track Magic was applied. The Track Magic removes more dirt than the track rubber can.
Before and after using Track Magic - the top rail is still dirty, the lower rail was cleaned with Track Magic.
Using the micro brush to rub Track Magic onto the current carrying contacts of the point.
Use Track Magic on both rails of the moving part of the point to ensure the current flows easily.
WHAT NOT TO DO - never pour neat Track Magic onto any part of the track or layout.
WHAT NOT TO DO - never pour neat Track Magic onto any part of the track or layout.
WHAT NOT TO DO - do not squeeze Track Magic out of the foam applicator pad.
Use a cotton bud to mop up any excess Track Magic liquid on the track.
Using the micro brush to carefully clean between the locomotive wheel and pick up.
Using the micro brush to carefully clean the wheels of a locomotive.