A chemistry question

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

a couple of my fellow club members have made a rather splendid track cleaner. It uses a pressure washer pump to blast a mix of water and some kind of solvent at the rails. It works a treat, but it has dire effects on the signalling, which relies on measuring the resistance between the rails. Using plain water isn’t as effective but doesn’t stop the signals working. Most cleaning solutions seems to contain ionic surfactants, and I guess the clue is is the name, ions conduct electricity.

I’ve suggested we paint the rails with Gunk, then blast it off with plain water. To save me going out to buy some anyone know if it will conduct electricity? I’ve attached the data sheet. Or any other ideas?

 

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

That looks like kerosene with a few oil souble additives, so it shouldn’t be conductive.

[Dick HParticipant @dickh]

Sorry is this the formula for Gunk or what they sprayed on the rails? Nothing in the above formula should cause that sort of chaos. What is in the concoction they use as track cleaner?

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