Fast Tracks

There is a company called Micro-Mark small tool Specialists you can find them on line
& anyway they sell a product called Tix Anti Flux.

This is a liquid that is brushed on metal to Prevent Solder flow onto areas you don't
want soldered and it works great keeping solder off Switch Points and action areas
you don't want accidentally soldered or to stop the flow of solder under tracks in the
path of your switch.
It is $3.75 U.S. dollars.
the Part number is 17112.

I bought some on June 2nd and received it received on Friday the 6th so I
Had all weekend to play with it and it really works great!
Be very careful and sparing if you use it because it does what it says. It stops
the flow of flux and solder any place it touches.

Tim & Ron I hope you don't mind that I put another company's name in your
Fast Tracks Forum if so fell free to delete this message. Dan

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NARROW Gauge MINDED
and Proud of it !!

Sounds like a great product to make a much neater finish.

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Now waiting for a better currency exchange rate before I order.

Hey no problem! These kinds of suggestions are always welcome.

I have not heard of this product, but it sounds ideal for keeping the solder away from the switchpoints.

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Cheers!

Tim Warris
Fast Tracks
http://www.fast-tracks.net
service@fast-tracks.net

Yeah! its better than hearing my wife "gripe" (alternate term something like "female dog" arf) when I use "her" aluminum foil.

Rob the Rebel!

Once the soldering has been completed, can this product be easily removed or painted over?

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Now waiting for a better currency exchange rate before I order.

jdm_com_au
in reply as to "can the Anti Flux be removed after finished"
The answer is yes and light thinner or soap & water. I use Tamiya X-20A Thinner have
used Rubbing alcohol. Floquil thinner works well too. as to "can it be painted over" I
wouldn't advise it as it causes the paint (Oil or Water Base) to puddle up in a strange
way.
It does wash off easily and I have actually as of yesterday when I was finished with
the completed switch and before attaching the wood ties I set the whole switch in a
glass baking Dish (not the wife's) that I bought and poured a lite covering of MEK
(Methyl Ethyl Keytone) over the switch. Then used a small Brass brush and rubbed the
whole turnout down to remove all the flux and Anti flux then dried it off. That really
cleaned the switch and the painting after that was the smoothest and best so far.

_________________
NARROW Gauge MINDED
and Proud of it !!

Methyl Ethyl Keytone isn't a product name that sounds familiar to me. Is it similar to acetone (nail polish remover)?

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Now waiting for a better currency exchange rate before I order.

MEK is similar to Acetone but is stronger and evaporates much faster. Here in the US, MEK can be found in paint stores and discounters paint departments. It's also the basis for many plastic cements and glues. It does not leave a residue, which Acetone often does.
-ed-

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-ed mccamey-
COSLAR RR - http://www.coslar.us/
NMRA Standards and Conformance Department
PROTO & FINE Scale Coordinator
I estimate I have about 5 pounds of coupler springs somewhere in the vicinity of my workbench.

A product that'a easy to get in Australia is called Brakleen. It's designed for cleaning brake parts. Basically it's a degreaser that evaporates quickly and doesn't leave any residue. I don't think it damages fibreglass, so I'll check it out and test it on something when I get the chance.

Thanks for all the feedback on Tix Anti Flux. I'll make sure I buy some before I start constructing anything.

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Now waiting for a better currency exchange rate before I order.

I believe Brakleen is close to MEK. MEK is used to clean fiberglass and resin used in
The production of Sailboats and surfboards. Try a surfboard and Boating shop to find MEK as it is
made for cleaning the surface of fiberglass boats between coats of resin and layers of
fiberglass cloth. I know they have boat shops there as I bought a beautiful surfboard
in Sidney about 18 years ago while on a trip there. hopefully they may be able to tell
you where you can find MEK or maybe Brakleen is the same product.

Product description taken directly from the can:

M.E.K. is a thinner and remover for specified coatings, including Polyester and epoxy resins,ink, adhesives and contact cement. It is recommended for use when a rate of evaporation slower than acetone is desired. M.E.K. may soften or damage plastics synthetics and many paint finishes. M.E.K. is ideal for cleaning fiberglass PC boards
before and after the application of solder both acid and resin core in order to eliminate
the corrosive properties of acid core solders.

_________________
NARROW Gauge MINDED
and Proud of it !!

_________________
Now waiting for a better currency exchange rate before I order.