I need to clean the built up crude from several passenger and freight car wheels. I was going to jump right and use GOO GONE, Q-tips, and a small screw driver for the chunky stuff, but if you have some better suggestions, I’m all ears. [{(-_-)}]
A dremel tool with a brass brush. Set it to a fairly low speed, touch it to the wheel, and all the crud will be gone in a few seconds.
This also is a good way to see how your wheels are spinning and where you need oil. With the wheels spinning at a couple thousand RPMs, you’ll know if something isn’t working quite right.
…and a benefit of using the Dremel is that you will be able to see just how much crud you cleaned off because it will be all over you and the walls and anything else close to you at the time. You might soak the wire brush in some alchohol for even more fun!
Same method I used to use, but my Dremel broke & had to use my E-xacto knife the other night to clean some wheels. I scraped, then cleaned a bit more with swobs & denatured alcohal. Oh, when I use the Dremel again, I always wear safetey glasses, so watch your eyes !
Thanks, John
Clean it off??? I thought that was for a cushion ride and to make the cars run quieter ! !
For the real crud, a Dremel tool with a wire wheel.
For lesser crud, soak a paper towel with Goo Gone and roll the car back and forth through the towel.
Ahhh…but what if the crud is magnet junk stock to wheels and axles on locos? [:)]
Dep
I do it the same way as Ben: Dremel with a brass brush.
The goo goes off and my hands turn black, but these are easily cleaned with soap…
Good luck,
Egbert
For postwar, I use a the wire wheel on my bench grinder holding the truck assembly firmly and carefully. Takes the crud off quickly and restores electrical continuity for insulated control rails.
I used to think that too, until the lights on the cars seem to be blinking more and more. (BTW, how’s Spankybird?)
Thanks for the suggestions with the Dremmel Tool, my weapon of choice.
Paul, is that a Benford XXXLLL Dremmel Tool used by Tim on his Tool Time Show?
I use goo gone and a paper towel generally, but if the crude is thick, I use an old razor blade and turn the wheel to scrape. I cleaned the wheels on a lionel 0-4-0 and tender last night because the loco would not run on the track under my Christmas tree. I also cleaned the track, and it runs well. It is an older loco, 1986 I believe, and I bought it used. The rollers for the center rail are black and discolored and I tired to scrape those with a razor blade. They are clean but the discoloration remains. Any tips on cleaning rollers other than what has been said?
For cleaning crud off wheels, I use a small, flat blade screw driver to remove the majority, then use a Dremel tool w/ wire brush. I’ll clean everything up with a swab soaked in alcohol.
For rollers, I use a rubber attachment (looks like a green pencil eraser) in my Dremel tool. Makes the rollers and drive wheels on locos shine like chrome.
Jim
I have used denatured alcohol for some time and it works well with nothing more sophisticated than a Q-tip.
Jaabat knows his crud!
I’ve found that if you don’t knock off the heavy stuff first the Dremel will only polish the dirt. Also, the wire wheels shed bristles that turn into very painful splinters (murphy’s law). Nobody mentioned the accelerated wear to the wheelsets caused by spinning at extreme Dremel speed, but I guess convenience trumps that.
It’s the solvent and q tip that really does the job; amazing how dirty the wheels still are even after a vigorous Dremelling… BTW, my suggestion is to use the attachments that look like a puffy scotchbrite instead of the wire brushes. They don’t last as long but don’t splinter and won’t leave metal fragments where you don’t want them.
I don’t use the metal wire brush. I use a soft wire brush with black plastic fibers.
Jim
I use goo gone soaked rollers with Centerline’s Rail Cleaner car to clean tracks along with a consist of my crudiest cars. It cleans and evaporates from the contact surfaces, and any subsequent run-off makes the lower parts of the tubular and ballast look cool. So far, no adverse effect on traction tires, not sure about long term effect of this product on traction tires.
Rich F.
anyone that know Toy Trains, knows better.
Dude, if it involves cleaning, I have two words for you,…acne pads. That and a jewler’s screwdriver should get the job done right quick and in a hurry.
Now that is a new one. I will put that in my book of “train tips”. Thanks for sharing that bit of knowledge. [:)]