(No subject)

I haven't used this brand,

I haven't used this brand, but I did pick up one that appears to be the same type to try.  It has 400 on one side and 600 on the other.  I've done some spots first with the 400, then with the 600.  I can definitely feel the difference.  The 600 leaves is almost mirror like.

I don't have any sort of comparison to offer other than how it feels and looks.  I've never used BriteBoy, so I can't compare to it.

The only time I use anything

The only time I use anything like sandpaper, it's when I get too much solder on top of the rails.  You must realize the flexible block of sandpaper is rounding the edges of your rail.  

Rounded edges?

Umm, real rail has rounded edges too.  Which you want so the slightly tapered wheels can make better contact.

I've been using a fine-grit Sandflex block for several years.

Scott Chatfield

Not very flexible

The rubber substrate on this is not very flexible.  In fact, It is very firm and difficult to compress by hand.  Not impossible, only difficult.  I also don't apply a lot of pressure when using the block.  All the same, valid point about rounding the corners of the rails.  I don't anticipate that happening due to the firmness and only slight pressure I use when polishing.  Now, I will be sure to keep the pressure light.

I thought, better than the ol' Briteboy and worth passing on.

Scott, since you have used one for years, what do you have to report?

Mike

Sandflex

Yep, I have been using these for some time. Lasts a long time. Both Peco and micro engineering both reccomend using something like this for cleaning track. Ignore all the following posts that will reiterate the nonsense about scratching the track, there is no evidence for this and my experiments have found no impact whatsoever.

I like this ideal. I have the

I like this ideal. I have the old tech bright boy and it does scratch the rail more than my liking.  I started using #600 sand paper on a wood block and it is much better however does not last very long.  I ordered a 3 pack of this product last night off Amazon for 11 bucks. They are fine , medium and corse grits.  I can use the heavier grits for other applications. 

Let us know

Let us know what you think of them once you have given the fine a try.

+1 for this

Ditto for me. The only disadvantage is that the block is physically large and hard to use in areas with details close to the track. A light drag with the block, a light wipe with electronic contact cleaner, a light drag with graphite in selected spots ... equals no track cleaning for six months.

Double ditto

Works great with light swipes.  And yes, because it is bigger you have to be careful around trackside details.  

I also use mineral spirits to clean track and wheels.  I only use the block to remove black gunk if it forms on the rail.  And I don't think the block is hard enough to remove solder from the rail head.  That takes a file.

Scott Chatfield

??????

Is there a way to cut a block down to about the size of a bright boy?

Jack

I would think a band saw with

I would think a band saw with a fine tooth blade or table top jig saw cut it with no problem. I am going to do it with mine and make them 1" wide and leave the thickness stock.

SandFlex

A few years ago I got a whole bag full of sanding pads, about 2" round, that are about 1600 grit. They came from a guy who works for an auto plant and they use them to sand out any blemishes when they come out of paint booth.

They work well and used with a metal handle with velcro on it you can change them very quickly.

Terry Harrison

Works for me too

Plus I spray a small amount of WD40 electronics cleaner on the block.

Sandflex Use

I've been using this product for years and it does an excellent job.  The one negative is that the embedded grit wears off (more so than with a bright boy).  I usually follow my Sandflex cleaning with a run by with a vacuum cleaner.  As for it's bulky size, it is very easy to cut into smaller, more manageable blocks.  Also, it now comes in a package of 3, smaller blocks.  For those hard to reach places, I attached a small block to a wood dowel with a sheet rock screw and it works wonderfully.  Good product, highly recommended.

George

Yes!

It will cut very easily with a hobby knife.

Cratex

Sounds similar to Cratex metal polishing sticks and rods that are the go to metal polishing product for machinists world wide:

https://www.cratex.com/Products/Rubber-Abrasives/Blocks-and-Sticks

"Possessing the same superior qualities as other Cratex products, Cratex Blocks and Sticks are excellent hand tools for cleaning and polishing metal surfaces, for breaking edges, smoothing away high spots, removing rust, heat marks, tarnish and stains."

Sanding Block cut into 3 pcs.

I got my sanding blocks in today and cut the fine one into 3 equal pieces.  as it turns out they are about the same size perimeter as the Brite boy. Work well cleaning the track. 

Sandflex Block

I have been using one for some time now and anytime someone posts a thread about cleaning track, I usually will link to the product.  Really, in my own opinion, this is by far the best product for cleaning track that is too dirty for conventional methods, like slider cars or cleaning cars like the Centerline and TMX.  Once the initial rail tops are clean, this block actually goes into "polish" mode, and you begin to feel very little resistance as your scrub the rails.  This is when you know that the initial cleaning is complete.  I usually followup with a homemade hardwood block wrapped in a Handi Wipe style cloth with a small amount of CRC 2-26 contact cleaner or equivalent.  

Once the heavy cleaning is done, it's a lot easier to keep clean.  That's when my Centerline car comes into play and I use it with a dry roller.  I will run this car on continuous  loop while I work on other projects.   

Sandflex Block grit equivalent

Rockler tools carries these and they indicate the FINE is equivalent to about 240 grit and the MEDIUM is equivalent to about 120 grit.

I have the fine block but haven't tried it on track. I usually go to the Auto store and get very fine sand paper and glue it to a wood block to clean rails. The Auto store has everything from 80 grit up to 5000 grit.

Peter these  are a lot softer

Peter these  are a lot softer than Cratex products and leave behind more debris .

@odyknuck

Thanks for the advice about being a lot softer.  I had the impression that they may have been like sanding sponges with a minimal grit layer on the outside.  The Cratex blocks are a hard rubber compound with silicon carbide embedded all the way through.  It would be interesting to compare the two.

Sounds like a good excuse for me to buy some more tools

They are a solid bar with

They are a solid bar with grit all the way thru however just soft like an ink eraser.

Sandflex Blocks

Odyknuck is correct, the debris is the main drawback, but the Sandflex block regardless of grit, still scratches the tack surface. I use a small hand held dust buster to vac up the debris.
What I have taken to do is to use a 2” stainless washer epoxied to a block of would and use it with power off, flat across the rails to hone the railhead. This washer helps to close up the scratches and reduce the areas for dirt to gather. 
No graphite, no oils, no cleaners since all leave a residue. Light wipe with knife sharpening honing stone (it’s about 800 grit) followed by the stainless washer, then a quick clean up with vac(if necessary). This method has resulted in approximately 1 year between cleanings.

Ralph Renzetti

My loco’s may be dirty, but not my railheads!