My Proto 2000 0-8-0 was a stump puller out of the box. Over time, the traction tires seem to have glazed over and lost their grab. Short of replacing them, anyone found a way to clean them and restore the grab?
I use 91% alcohol and Goo Gone to clean construction contamination off my tracks, so I’m supposing that these two are the chemicals responsible ‘for’ the situation.
Thoughts?
Joe
Not knowing what the traction tires are made of (rubber, neoprene, etc.) I would not recommend any petroleum based cleaner. I would suggest soapy water and a Q-tip or maybe a BRASS wire brush in a dremel tool to carefully clean them. Don’t be too aggressive if you use the dremel tool method. Another way is to have the loco held upside down and powered up. With the wheels turning hold a piece of crocus cloth gingerly to them to remove the shine. Again, don’t be overly aggressive here. Last, replace them. There may be better ideas out there, wait and see. Ken
Pencil eraser or something like 600+ grit sandpaper and a light rub with that…nothing more, and definitely not with any petroleum-based or other solvents (paint thinner, lacquer thinner, acetone, turpentine, carbon tetrachloride, etc.)
I’ve got a couple old LL’s with traction tires. I use Goo Gone. Works great. DON’T use Goof Off! Goof Off WILL melt plastic.
I follow it use with alcohol to get any residue. (clean my track the same way)
Joe,
all traction tires do get hard and brittle over time, especially when pulling heavy loads uphill. Although I don’t use any liquid cleaner on my track, I do have to change the tires eventually.
I use the LUX wheel cleaner on my layout to keep all wheels clean (not just the drivers!) and it does a great job.
Regards,
I turn the locomotives upside down and power them up, and Windex and a Q-tip has worked for about 30 years. May be longer, but I don’t remember.
Thanks for the input and ideas. Turns out the Goo Gone has some petroleum distilates, which equate to slick. A shot of alcohol and the locomotive was as sticky to the track as it once was.
Joe
I use a product called Rubber Renue to restore things like rubber idler wheels in tape recorders and such things. It’s made by MG Chemicals of Toronto, Ontario, Canada and comes in a 225 ml (7.6 oz) brown bottle. Read the warnings on the label very carefully, it’s pretty nasty stuff. You can learn more about it at the company’s website, www.mgchemicals.com. I’ve never tried it on traction tires, but I would think it would work. You can find it at an electronics distributor. You may have to buy it over the counter as it may not be able to be shipped by mail.