testing sand and dirt for metals?

Where did you get the sand from?I buy it in bags at craft stores,it's very inexpensive($1.99 3 lbs) and comes in many different colors so you can blend it.Looks to be pure.I spray with diluted alcohol then apply the water/glue mix.Have never had a problem.Good luck,Nick

I've never had any problems after ten years.  I also water/glue mix it down like Rockstars1989 does, and when I run my magnet car once a month to pick up the odd whatever from the track, it does not come back with that type of tiny particulate "fuzz" you are talked about.  I also have some old magnetration locos which I run from time to time even thought I have Atlas track and the magnetraction doesn't help: their wheels come back clean.

I imagine there is a small among of metal in all sand mixes you can buy.  I'd recommend not leaving it loose near tracks, etc., but gluing it down as said.  That ought to fix it. 

Thanks guys.  I bought it a big box hardware store.  I do plan to glue it down for sure.  Just want to be safe.

The white glue/water mix is non-flammable. Personally, I would use that over hair spray.

Wow, I would not use hairspray.  It leaves a sticky residue that has to be removed with acetone of something of that nature.  More goo, more yucjk - more work.

Once you get into it, the white glue is easy, cheap, pretty fast to do, and fairly neat also - not a lot of clean up, and where there is, just water and a paper towel.