What do you folks use to clean your locos and rolling stock?
In O gauge, I usually remove the body from the frame, and dunk it in warm, soapy water. After scrubbing with an old toothbrush and drying off, I spray on Pledge to restore the factory shine. If the finish is bad enough that Pledge doesn’t do it, I try smoke fluid. If the smoke fluid doesn’t work, I use 3-in-1 oil, which will always get the job done.
The frame gets removed from the trucks, quickly dunked in water, and then dried and coated in 3-in-1 oil.
Keep in mind that any of the cleaners mentioned above probably won’t be too friendly if you wio repaint, reletter, or weather your plastic bodies. I only do that because I wio make my trains look(shine) like new. If you simply wi***o remove dirt, soap and water will suffice.
Here’s what the above process did to a Lionel tender
Before:
After
I did touch up some of the paint chips with a Sharpie, but all the other improvments(except for rust removal) are the result of soap, water, and 3-in-1 oil.
Thanks, Ben, that’s very helpful. Any other approaches out there???
I use all kind of acids… they make to disappear anything, including the whole rolling stock. This helps me to get rid of things to clean huahuahuahua!!!
BTW. I use a broken piece of sponge wet on water and a bit of neutral detergent, just that, the result is great!!!
I hope I have helped you somehow.[:D]
Since my units sit on shelves for long time periods they get pretty dusty.
Routine I use:
Carry Freight and passenger cars to the kitchen counter. Small tray with warm, soapy water. Gently scrub roofs and sides with old, soft toothbrush. Rinse with tap water from the sink, or a spray bottle filled with warm water. Amazingly, very little water gets into the trucks and couplers. Next, gently towel dry or blow with compressed air.
Total elapsed time: Approximately 1 minute per car. Results: NICE!
Locomotives, similar routine, however remove the body from the chassis and take extra care when cleaning around details, such as lift rings, windshield wipers, and cab shades. For hood units, baby’s toothbrushes fit nicely along the walkways without having to remove the handrail sets. BE CAREFUL!
Time: Approximately 3 minutes per unit.
Hope this helps!