Saving The Cork

[BCR751]

Anyone found a way to remove latex caulk from cork roadbed without wrecking the cork?  I've tried sanding, scraping and peeling, all of which leave big holes in the cork. 

Doug

[TVRR]

Try a sharp razor blade and a cutting board to cut away as much latex as possible, cover any remainder with new ballast.

[mmagliaro]

You want to get the caulk off the cork, leaving the cork on the benchwork, so you can lay new track on it, right?
Well, to be honest, all I've ever done is peel off what comes easily, and then go at it with a rasp and sandpaper until I get the surface flat enough to put track on.  Most times, I just pulled up the cork and replaced it because it just wasn't worth it.

But there is a DAP "Caulk Be Gone" that is supposed to soften and help you remove latex caulk.   You might spread some on an area as a test and see how it goes. 

[JMaurer1]

Cork is like the cheapest thing when it comes to building a layout. Rip it up, sand down where it was, use new cork...

[randgust]

Considering how badly you can mess up new N track with bad surface roadbed, the only thing I'd try to retrieve cork for would be to break it up and use as a base for plaster rockwork.   I really like it for stratified rock base.

I'll even pull up painted and ballasted flextrack and soak it to remove old ballast, but I wouldn't bother with cork.  Right up there with re-using rail joiners.  Bad idea.

[davefoxx]

Cork is like the cheapest thing when it comes to building a layout. Rip it up, sand down where it was, use new cork...

^This.

[BCR 570]

Doug:

Not sure why you are using latex caulk; try Woodland Scenics Foam Tack Glue - it is water soluble and does a great job of securing track to the roadbed.

Tim

[peteski]

Doug:

Not sure why you are using latex caulk; try Woodland Scenics Foam Tack Glue - it is water soluble and does a great job of securing track to the roadbed.

Tim

Could be because the Woodland Scenics adhesives seem very expensive (compared to stuff you get at a hardware store)?

[JMaurer1]

Of course the Woodland Scenics tack glue is actually just rebadged Tacky Glue that you can buy anywhere for much less than Woodland Scenics sells it for. But I still stick with my original answer of you can save the whales or whatever other cause you want to support, but there's no reason to save the cork. Set the used cork free...

[BCR751]

Of course the Woodland Scenics tack glue is actually just rebadged Tacky Glue that you can buy anywhere for much less than Woodland Scenics sells it for. But I still stick with my original answer of you can save the whales or whatever other cause you want to support, but there's no reason to save the cork. Set the used cork free...

What is the holding capability of tacky glue versus say, contact cement?

Doug

[milw156]

If Woodland Scenics is water soluble, how is it going to handle being soaked with wet water and glue for ballasting?

[Kisatchie]

I'm using Kato Unitrack, so no cork for me... ha ha ha haaaa.


Hmm... Kiz can be so
childish...

[JMaurer1]

Give me a non-water based glue any time. Otherwise when the humidity rises, so does everything that has been glued on...

[John]

liquid nails for projects ..

[BCR 570]

What is the holding capability of tacky glue versus say, contact cement?

Doug

Well its biggest challenge would have been the 16" radius helix which was laid back in 2009 and has held just fine.

Tim