No Ox ID Questions

For a temporary layout (Christmas?) I would just clean the track each year.

John

This is primarily for my grandkids.  The whole idea is to avoid annual track cleaning as much as possible to make it a set up and go process without a lot of fuss for them and their parents.  While they all enjoy trains, none of them are model train hobbyists.  Sporadic operation can be a holiday buzz kill.

Scott

I have been using NO-OX ID for several years now with great success.   Personally I did not treat the outside common rails due to the concern about "traction tires".   

Personally I followed the YouTube videos and switched over using Low Odor Mineral spirits to first clean all the rails.  Everything they say about Mineral Spirits stopping the micro arcing and build up of black residue has been true for me.  The video discusses how different solvents, alcohols actually make the micro-arcing worse.   

And yes, if I was putting track together I would absolutely treat my track pins with this stuff prior to assembly.  Unfortunately my trackwork was 95% complete when I found this product 

For a small flat Holiday, or occaissional use layout, you might try treating the outside common rails.  My recommendation would be to rub the outside rails down with a clean dry cotton rag after applying the NO-OX-ID so that you leave the "thinnest" protective film on the rails.   My opinion is that it doesn't take but a microscopic coating on the rails to get the conductivity improvements that reduce/eliminate the "micro-arcing" between the rails and the cast steel wheels. 

My last recommendation is make sure you clean all wheels on the engines and cars with low odor mineral spirits.  If you don't you'll just spread/transfer the dirt/grease etc from the wheels to your clean track.   It's amazing some of the used freight cars I have purchased have an insane build up of "carbon like" crust on the cast wheels.  I end up scraping it off first with a very small flat bladed screwdriver, then clean them with Q-tips and Mineral Spirits.

@Scott R posted:

This is primarily for my grandkids.  The whole idea is to avoid annual track cleaning as much as possible to make it a set up and go process without a lot of fuss for them and their parents.  While they all enjoy trains, none of them are model train hobbyists.  Sporadic operation can be a holiday buzz kill.

Scott

Menards tubular track is pretty robust, track pins are usually tighter than my lionel but worth a check.  My experience with NO OX ID hasn't been that great.  I used it on N Gauge track (seasonal layout),  Still had to clean it.  It's already together.  I just clean it maybe twice while it's up.  Go around the whole layout with a Woodland Scenics cleaning system.  Takes 5 minutes.

John

Why not work a small amount of NO OX into a small lint free cloth. Since only a film is needed this might work better.

Thanks for the replies.  I already started the cleaning process using mineral spirits.  It’s amazing how much blank gunk I removed from the rails on brand new, never been used Menards tubular.  They come delivered with a thin oily layer on the rails, I assume to prevent rust.  I did apply a thin layer no ox after the cleaning and used a clean rag to wipe off excess.   I also applied some no ox to the track pins.  The grease on the track pins acts like a lubricant (no surprise).  While that makes assembly super easy, they also pull apart easy, too easy.  But I use rubber bands around the end ties of adjoining pieces to securely hold them together.  A truck I learned from this forum - works like a champ

@Scott R posted:

But I use rubber bands around the end ties of adjoining pieces to securely hold them together.

Black zip ties work well too.

John

Two years ago half my layout experienced a major rust problem. I disassembled the entire layout slowly and cleaned each track first with industrial strength Scotch-Brite pads (Yes there is such a thing), followed by mineral spirits followed by no ox. That was two years ago. No muss no fuss and mainly no rust. I'm a believer.