Ultrasonic Cleaner For Lionel Tubular Track

[RBH29]

Does anyone have experience cleaning dirty, somewhat rusty Lionel tubular track with an untrasonic cleaner? I figure if anyone has used one it would be you guys. I'm wondering if the paper board insulators would disintegrate. Any recommendations to offer on the subject would be appreciated.

[bob turner]

Welcome to 2-rail. Most of us have graduated to nickel silver or steel rails. I have one loop of steel rail, and I use 320 "wet" sandpaper coated with a kerosene derivative similar to Wahl clipper oil to clean the rail tops. I just let the sides rust.

Older Lionel track is tin plated steel, so my trick won't work well. But while you research rust removal, just wipe the tops with Wahl, and you will see improvement in conductivity.

For the next very short while you can ask The Google, and you will get lots of information for free. Soon theywill start to charge, and then, according to the news, they will kill us. So don't wait!

[bob turner]

Here is what that looks like:

To clean rust off old Lionel tubular track, you can soak the pieces in a 5% white vinegar bath for 24 hours to dissolve the rust completely . [1, 2]
Vinegar Soak Method

• Submerge the track: Place the rusty track pieces in a shallow plastic or glass container and cover them with plain white vinegar (5% acetic acid).
• Soak for 24 hours: Let the track sit for a full day so the vinegar can convert the iron oxide into a dissolved state. Check if you need another day for heavy rust.
• Neutralize the acid: Rinse the tracks immediately in water mixed with baking soda to stop the acid reaction.
• Scrub and dry: Scrub away any loosened residue with a soft brush, rinse with clean water, and dry the track completely (often in a low-heat 200° oven for an hour) to prevent flash rusting. Note: Soaking painted ties in vinegar may strip the paint, requiring touch-ups. [1, 3, 4]

Alternative Light Rust Methods

• Aluminum foil: Rub a ball of crumpled aluminum foil firmly along moderately rusted rails and pins for about 30 seconds; the aluminum transfers oxygen away from the iron to clean the metal safely.
• Scouring pads: Use a non-metallic Scotch-Brite pad with a small amount of WD-40 on the top running surfaces of the rails.
• Avoid steel wool: Model railroaders on forums like Classic Toy Trains Forum warn against steel wool and heavy sandpaper because they strip the protective tin plating and leave tiny metal shreds that can short out locomotive motors. [8, 9, 10]

If you can tell me how thick the rust is and whether the ties are plastic or painted metal, I can suggest the safest specific cleaner for your collection.
AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJs9aRtoOCs
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4DfK8dn5Tc
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HS_5lS53jo
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38mRPzqoGQA
[5] https://dfarq.homeip.net/fixing-old-lionel-tubular-track/
[6] https://forum.trains.com/t/can-rusted-lionel-track-be-saved/113254
[7] https://www.facebook.com/groups/LionelTrainsGeneralDiscussion/posts/4070215119917171/
[8] https://forum.trains.com/t/how-do-you-get-rust-off-track/159843
[9] https://www.warrenvillerailroad.com/post/the-definitive-guide-to-cleaning-maintaining-tubular-and-other-track
[10] https://www.reddit.com/r/modeltrains/comments/17jarsg/how_do_you_properly_derust_track/

[up148]

"I'm wondering if the paper board insulators would disintegrate."

I share your concern and believe the cleaner would disintegrate the insulators immediately or severely compromise them.

Here's what AI says for what that's worth:

No, you cannot put paper, wood, or cardboard in an ultrasonic cleaner machine. These Materials Fail: These items dissolve, disintegrate, and turn to mush immediately when submerged in water and exposed to ultrasonic sound waves.

I think Bob's alternative solutions would be the place to start.