Model Railway Forum

OK yes I have just looked it up it must be a new product. I would not use it IPA has been tried and tested on model railways for years, it does the job and is also more controlable as it is not a spray you can use a brush needle or cloth without covering evrything in spray. Of course you can put it in a spray bottle if you wish but IPA will go a lot further than a Spray can because you get a lot more for your money. Also it is greener for the enviarenment as it does not need repellent in the spray can.

sandy wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 12:32 am WD 40 is not a contact cleaner it is a water repellent and lubricant and is not recommended for use on model railways as it can do horrible things to plastic models. If you want to clean track with a cloth use IPA. You can get 1L bottle on ebay for about £4 ish, I cant remember for shaw got mine long time ago lasts for ages. Wonderful stuff for cleaning commutators switches ECT. Dont use WD40.

Discounting Indian Pale Ale what's IPA?

Isopropanol Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol) = IPA. Its used to clean rails and locos wheels and electrical contacts etc. But if used ensure you obtain the 99.9% type, as some is much lower alcohol percentage and is diluted with water this version is frequently called Rubbing Alcohol and is not suitable.

Brian wrote: ↑Tue Apr 26, 2022 3:28 pm Isopropanol Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol) = IPA. Its used to clean rails and locos wheels and electrical contacts etc. But if used ensure you obtain the 99.9% type, as some is much lower alcohol percentage and is diluted with water this version is frequently called Rubbing Alcohol and is not suitable.

Thanks Brian. I'll check it out here in Spain. I use meths stoves on camping trips with my motorbikes but you have to be careful to buy from an ironmonger rather than a homecare store as they stock perfumed versions for cleaning windows - difficult to light on damp mornings and pants for getting water hot enough for a really good pot of tea