Cleaning Kato Viaduct.

[Sascha]

My Viaduct start to get a little dirty. It has dust on it, but it is very hard to clean, without taking it apart. Is there an easy way to do it?

[1954G]

Single track viaduct is a pain to clean.  Maybe cans of compressed air would work.

 

Double track's width makes the job easier.  I just use rags (old T shirts, cloth napkins, etc) soaked in isopropyl alcohol.  Rubbing on the ties too hard can remove the paint, FYI.

[Sascha]

Thanks. Luckily I haven't painted them.

[cteno4]

Sasha,

 

This is a big help to pick up dust and smutz on the layout

 

http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Vacuum-Attachment-Kit-Piece/dp/B000BSJCLY/ref=sr_1_1?s=vacuums&ie=UTF8&qid=1456186577&sr=1-1&keywords=Micro+vacuum

 

Then use a bit of nylon stockings to put over the end of the vacuum hose before adding the attachment so if you do accidentally suck up a detail (like Dorothy and toto) you can easily get it back!

 

Also handy in concert with this are makeup brushes. These are soft but a lot of hairs and tend to sweep up dust and knock it out well to get sucked up w.o hitting more delicate bits hard with the vacuum brush or hose

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kabuki-Makeup-Cosmestic-Face-Mineral-Powder-Foundation-Mushroom-Blush-Brush-SU-/221594915813?hash=item33981613e5:g:7qgAAOSwrx5UWKYo

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Makeup-Cosmetic-Soft-Kabuki-Contour-Face-Nose-Powder-Foundation-Brush-Tool-JG-/272116479744?hash=item3f5b67f700:g:aycAAOSwNphWYUUK

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Simple-Makeup-Eye-Powder-Foundation-Eyeshadow-Blending-Double-Ended-Brush-Pen-/231551486366?hash=item35e98b499e:g:lxoAAOSwBLlVQdsk

 

The Tomix track cleaning car also works well in vacuum mode, always pick up loads of smutz and puzz when I run it in vacuum mode but brushing first helps knock it loose first.

 

For the track I've found the rag and isopropanol work the best and is cheap, non toxic and easy. Wrap it around the end of the stick with a rubber band for the harder to reach places or if you want to keep it off the ties. If you go at the track hard with isopropanol you do see a tad of the tie paint on the rag, but in 11 years of cleaning the club tracks like this all the time I've never seen a worn/faded strip down the middle of the ties.

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

[katoftw]

Thanks. Luckily I haven't painted them.

But the manufacturer did.

[Sascha]

But the manufacturer did.

Aren't they just grey plastic ?

[Sascha]

Thanks Jeff. The isopropyl and rag thing worked great 1954G. It was dirtier than I thought.

[cteno4]

Aren't they just grey plastic ?

yep, no paint, just moulded gray plastic.

 

jeff

[cteno4]

Thanks Jeff. The isopropyl and rag thing worked great 1954G. It was dirtier than I thought.

I always do the finger test just wiping my finger on the track and if there is any black lines time to clean!

 

jeff

[Sascha]

yep, no paint, just moulded gray plastic.

 

jeff

I thought so. I guess Katoftw was referring to Unitrack?

[katoftw]

I'm refering to Sacha's response to the paint on the ties 1954G mentioned.

Edited February 24, 2016 by katoftw

[Sascha]

I'm refering to Sacha's response to the paint on the ties 1954G mentioned.

Ooooh. My bad. I meant the elevated track. For some weird reason I called them viaduct tracks. Because they are connected to my viaduct station I guess. I'm sick, so please forgive me sire!!

[Welshbloke]

How about a clean 1/2" paintbrush? Works pretty well for dusting most things!