Mineral spirits as track cleaning fluid?

[Cajonpassfan]

There has been some recent discussion on line and in MRH about the use of mineral spirits in lieu of IPA (isopropyl alcohol, not the brew kind) for track cleaning. The La Mesa club in San Diego switched to it as did one of my local HO friend’s layout. There’s a supposedly scientific explanation to support the switch, dealing with molecular qualities of these fluids that’s way over my head. I understand the use of mineral spirits, while improving conductivity, may reduce traction, so my question is, has anyone here tried this in N scale, and if so, what’s the verdict?
Thanks in advance,
Otto K.

[dnhouston]

Otto,

I've been using mineral spirits for the last year or so and personally I think my track and wheels stay cleaner a little longer.  It does clean the rail with less effort than using alcohol and I have not noticed any reduction in traction.

[rray]

I use it for lots of things including cleaning my laser optics and guide ways, and as a thinner for Tamiya paints. It makes excellent glass cleaner because it leaves no residue, so it stands to reason it would make a great track cleaner too. It's just Methanol, Ethanol, and Propynol if I remember correctly.

[jagged ben]

Otto, for those who might be interested in the chemistry it seems like you cut off a key word before 'constant' at the top of that chart.  What kind of constant? 

rray, I don't think you're remembering correctly.  You named a bunch of alchohols.  Mineral spirits, according to Wikipedia, are various particular hydrocarbons, i.e. no oxygen (no hydroxyl groups). 

My understanding of organic chemistry, while probably way above the average public, is nevertheless too rudimentary to take a side based on theory, so I'll defer to people's empirical observations.  I could see that the lack of oxygen means less oxidation of the rail from the cleaner itself.  I also find it plausible that traction would be affected by mineral spirits.  It's basically oil instead of alchohol.  Oils usually evaporate slower and leave more residue.

[Chris333]

Mineral spirits leaves an oily residue. So just swap it for clipper oil and it's the same story over and over.

[Cajonpassfan]

Mineral spirits leaves an oily residue. So just swap it for clipper oil and it's the same story over and over.

Well, that’s kind of what I thought, too. An oily residue. But then there are these arguably competent and experienced HO operations guys with huge layouts and dozens (hundreds?) of locomotives and multiple op sessions under their belt that like the stuff and no longer use IPA... I’m just trying to learn and understand. For those of us with relatively large layouts, keeping the track clean is job one....
Thanks for everyone’s feedback. Is there more?
Otto K.

[Cajonpassfan]

Otto, for those who might be interested in the chemistry it seems like you cut off a key word before 'constant' at the top of that chart.  What kind of constant? 
...

Yea, well I wish I knew. I copied the chart from a MRH article some months back, the implication being that the lower numbers are more advantageous...

[Chris333]

There are tons of people who swear by putting clipper oil on the rails.   

[Chris333]

We have a 55 gallon drum of mineral spirits at work. Sometimes we use it to clean steel tables. It always leaves an oily finish. But if we use another product similar to brake cleaner the tables are bone dry.

[peteski]

Well, that’s kind of what I thought, too. An oily residue. But then there are these arguably competent and experienced HO operations guys with huge layouts and dozens (hundreds?) of locomotives and multiple op sessions under their belt that like the stuff and no longer use IPA... I’m just trying to learn and understand. For those of us with relatively large layouts, keeping the track clean is job one....
Thanks for everyone’s feedback. Is there more?
Otto K.

Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that automatic transmission fluid is a miracle track cleaner.
Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that No-Ox ID  is a miracle track cleaner.
Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that Lighter Fluid (Naphtha) is a miracle track cleaner.
Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that denatured alcohol  is a miracle track cleaner.
And this list of competent guys and miracle chemicals goes on and on . . .

[Cajonpassfan]

Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that automatic transmission fluid is a miracle track cleaner.
Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that No-Ox ID  is a miracle track cleaner.
Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that Lighter Fluid (Naphtha) is a miracle track cleaner.
Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that denatured alcohol  is a miracle track cleaner.
And this list of competent guys and miracle chemicals goes on and on . . .

Okay, and your point is exactly what?

[rray]

I would not use the Mineral Spirits if it leaves an oily residue. Oil causes dust and detrius to stick to it, which eventually would make all the wheels dirty, don't you think? Just look where you spilled a little motor oil on your lawn mower, and see all the dirt that stuck there. Don't you suspect the exact thing is happening on a microscopic scale?

I'm in the Denatured Alcohol camp myself, thinking absolute clean is better than oily residue.

rray, I don't think you're remembering correctly.  You named a bunch of alchohols.  Mineral spirits, according to Wikipedia, are various particular hydrocarbons, i.e. no oxygen (no hydroxyl groups). 

Argh! Another senior moment.. I just looked, the stuff I am using is called Denatured Alcohol, and it comes in a similar can:

[davefoxx]

What's the difference between Isopropyl Alcohol and Denatured Alcohol?  I keep 70% and 91% Isopropyl Alcohol around.  I sure don't want to use the 91% to clean the track, as it will take the paint off.  Will Denatured Alcohol take paint off?  Is it better than 70% Isopropyl Alcohol for cleaning track for any reason?

Thanks,
DFF

[learmoia]

Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that automatic transmission fluid is a miracle track cleaner.
Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that No-Ox ID  is a miracle track cleaner.
Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that Lighter Fluid (Naphtha) is a miracle track cleaner.
Then there are competent and experienced model train guys who swear that denatured alcohol  is a miracle track cleaner.
And this list of competent guys and miracle chemicals goes on and on . . .

You forgot steel wool and Brillow pads.. 

[peteski]

Okay, and your point is exactly what?

My point is this:  You asked:

I’m just trying to learn and understand.  . . .Thanks for everyone’s feedback. Is there more?

I gave you more.  And every one recommending one of those cleaning solutions swears theirs is the best.  You asked if there are more, and I answered.  Why get snippy? 

EDIT:
Um, I forgot the "gleam method". It doesn't involve fluid - it burnishes the railhead with a coin, for long lasting clean track.