Hey
I have an old American flyer 314aw. It works put doesnot look great. What chemicals can I use to clean it without ruining the train?
Wrong place for your question - try the Classic TOY Trains forum - this one is for REAL trains
Use a mild detergent, such as an Automotive or RV cleaner, and a soft tooth brush.
Rinse well.
I stick with a mild dish washing detergent (not the kind used in dishwasher machines) like Dawn, Ivory… and a soft toothbush with warm to cool water. I’ve actually seen this method described in a couple of Lionel guides and other magazines over the years. Dishwashing detergent is formulated to cut through greasey dishes and therefore works well on the decades of oily dirt commonly seen on pre and post-war trains. The cool to warm water is gentlier on any painted numbers or decals. Oh yeah, be real gentle on decals. I stay away from them if I can. I’ve used this method with success and satisfaction from the start.
Mike
Germandude77
When I clean I remove the shell from the frame and use dawn or similar dish washing liquid. I use a soft bristle 1 1/2 inch paint brush and a soft tooth brush for stubborn dirt. Watch you don’t go too hard or you may start removing paint.
Jim
+1 on the use of dishwashing detergent and +1 on being careful you don’t scrub to long that you remove the paint. The “boiling caldron”, hot water and dishwashing detergent are what we use to remove original paint! Fortunately you have to let it sit for a while. I it has to do with lye on the detergent and the composition of the older paints…
SSOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Wouldn’t it be better to use a product made for painted and decaled surfaces???
Like…An…Auto/RV wash!!![:-^]
Well, I could have said I use 80 grit glass bead to clean my trains, but I only use that method when I want to repaint them…oh, you mean just clean the dirt, I get it!
Nah, its good enough to use methods that work for you, you never know, your RV wash might have the same effect as the dish washing detergent if you let the parts sit in hot, real hot, water…[swg]
I know the RV wash is a very good cleaner. Amazing what it can do. Next time I have a project to clean I will give it a try.
Jim
Hi germandude,
I use palmolive dish soap and an artist brush, becareful on the heat stamped logos and numbers, they tend to be the first to disapear. If you have stubborn stains try Mcquires rubbing polish but go really easy.