Cleaning wheels with a Dremel tool?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Folks,
Was curious as to what most use to clean their wheels on their locomotives. I have a Dremel tool that I use with a synthetic polishing brush. Is this the best device to use? Also curious about keeping them from oxidizing after. Any electrically conducive lube or the like that can be applied after the wheels have been cleaned to keep them that way while not in use?

Thanks,
Brad

2

I use my Dremel with a brass brush attachment. Be careful or you can melt the end of the shaft or journal on the truck. I always place a finger on the other wheel to keep it from spinning too fast.

3

But don’t let it hang up in one spot, either, or you’ll get a flat spot on your wheel. The Dremel is spinning really, really fast and it can flatten a wheel if you’re not careful.

4

I also use a Dremel tool with a brass brush, but only on metal wheels. On plastic wheels I use a round tooth-pick that has be cut off and filed to a chisel point with an emory board to get the caked on crude off then follow with a cotton swab and lighter fluid. I don’t use oil on them after cleaning. This may be debatible, but oil will help any dust or dirt to stick to the wheels, although, oil on the track will do the same thing. Yeah, I know, that miracle clipper oil is supposed to do wonders for electrical pick up and I won’t argue that fact. Just that I choose not to oil my wheel treads. Ken

5

No way I’d use a Dremel tool - it’s a waste of a good cleaning brush.

I clean wheels by moistening a napkin with Goo Gone, putting it over the track, and running cars over it. It works every time to get out the gunk.

6

I also use a brass brush on a Dremel to polish wheel treads, but only after weathering a car.
See, EVERY car of mine gets metal wheel sets (Usually P2K) before it sees rails, so once they are put on the pike, I NEVER have to clean the wheels again! All I have to do is run them and they stay clean! [^]