If you clean your track with an abrasive such as a “brite boy” on a regular basis you will leave tiny scratches that will fill up with dirt and grime and will make conductivity worse by accelerating the formation of oxide insulation. I did it weekly and finally got fed up. Researching through some old publications, I found an article by Linn Westcott, in which he recommends a product called
NO-OX. This was published over 40 years ago! The product is still being made by Sanchem (Sanchem Inc.) and has evolved from a liquid form to a paste.
The full name of the product to be used on steel or brass track is
“NO-OX-ID A Special“. The results it produces are truly amazing and will make you wonder why you ever cleaned your track!
Here is a place to get an 8 oz. tube. www.sourcetelsupply.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=131&osCsid=fe14a1efd3c97e6192cbf63e9d768ab6
Providing that you haven’t gunked up your track with plaster, glue, or oil, you should remove any of these contaminants prior to NO-OX application. Applying it to your track is best done by putting a small 1/4” x 1/64” smear on your finger and rubbing it on 100’ of rail. Resist any temptation to apply more! You don’t want the rails slippery, what you are looking for is an almost MICROSCOPIC layer that will convert the oxide coating from an insulator to a conductor.
I applied the NO-OX to my layout 3 years ago, and have experienced skip free running ever since. This is even after periods of no running for as long as a month. I HAVE NOT CLEANED MY TRACK IN 3 YEARS!
An added bonus, is that the NO-OX has changed my loco wheels into better conductors, as I have not had to clean them either.
NO-OX. This was published over 40 years ago! The product is still being made by Sanchem (Sanchem Inc.) and has evolved from a liquid form to a paste.
The full name of the product to be used on steel or brass track is
“NO-OX-ID A Special“. The results it produces are truly amazing and will make you wonder why you ever cleaned your track!
Here is a place to get an 8 oz. tube. www.sourcetelsupply.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=131&osCsid=fe14a1efd3c97e6192cbf63e9d768ab6
Providing that you haven’t gunked up your track with plaster, glue, or oil, you should remove any of these contaminants prior to NO-OX application. Applying it to your track is best done by putting a small 1/4” x 1/64” smear on your finger and rubbing it on 100’ of rail. Resist any temptation to apply more! You don’t want the rails slippery, what you are looking for is an almost MICROSCOPIC layer that will convert the oxide coating from an insulator to a conductor.
I applied the NO-OX to my layout 3 years ago, and have experienced skip free running ever since. This is even after periods of no running for as long as a month. I HAVE NOT CLEANED MY TRACK IN 3 YEARS!
An added bonus, is that the NO-OX has changed my loco wheels into better conductors, as I have not had to clean them either.