Contact Cleaning

[jacon12]

I cleaned the axles on the tender of my steam locomotive and the performance was noticiably improved. I used a bright boy type eraser to do this and I wonder if that is the best thing to use and also if I should try to clean the copper ‘wipers’ also?
Jarrell

[Anonymous]

I sure would try if it was mine. You know how copper does. Just look at a penny. That ain’t how copper contacts outhg to be. Just my two cents.

QUOTE: Originally posted by jacon12

I cleaned the axles on the tender of my steam locomotive and the performance was noticiably improved. I used a bright boy type eraser to do this and I wonder if that is the best thing to use and also if I should try to clean the copper ‘wipers’ also?
Jarrell

[rrinker]

Yes you should clean the wipers, but you must be very careful not to bend them or deform them - otherwise you will have very clean wipers that don’t do a darn thing because they don’t touch the axles anymore.

–Randy

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker

Yes you should clean the wipers, but you must be very careful not to bend them or deform them - otherwise you will have very clean wipers that don’t do a darn thing because they don’t touch the axles anymore.

–Randy

I wonder if there is a liquid cleaning agent that you can put on a Qtip and gently run between the wiper and the axles. It seems like that would be best instead of rubbing them with the bright boy. I know me… if I can deform them… I will.
Jarrell

[jimrice4449]

Any one of the solution type (no rubbung) cleaners made for removing tarnish from silver will work.

[rexhea]

Jarrell,
You need to watch out for some of these cleaning agents as they will remove the tarnish, but leave a non-conductive film. A pipe cleaner and alcohol is good to get in between the wiper and wheels of the loco and I usually clean the tender wiper with the same. If the tender wiper is in bad shape you need to remove the axles and clean it with something abrasive like a bright boy or even a burnishing tool. If you bend it, you can always form it back. Whatever it takes.

I wi***hey had used something other than copper for them, but we would probably have to pay $50 more for the loco.

REX

[Anonymous]

There’s a product called “Conducta Lube & Cleaner” by Aero Locomotive Works, http://www.aerocarlubricants.com/Trains/index.htm
E-Z Conductive Contact Lube & Cleaner By Bachmann, 160-99981 in the Walthers. Both can be used on the wipers.

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rexhea

Jarrell,
You need to watch out for some of these cleaning agents as they will remove the tarnish, but leave a non-conductive film. A pipe cleaner and alcohol is good to get in between the wiper and wheels of the loco and I usually clean the tender wiper with the same. If the tender wiper is in bad shape you need to remove the axles and clean it with something abrasive like a bright boy or even a burnishing tool. If you bend it, you can always form it back. Whatever it takes.

I wi***hey had used something other than copper for them, but we would probably have to pay $50 more for the loco.

REX

Yep, if it has ‘made for model railroading’ on it, double the price!
Thanks Rex.
Jarrell

[jacon12]

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomotive3

There’s a product called “Conducta Lube & Cleaner” by Aero Locomotive Works, http://www.aerocarlubricants.com/Trains/index.htm
E-Z Conductive Contact Lube & Cleaner By Bachmann, 160-99981 in the Walthers. Both can be used on the wipers.

Thank you for the link, Chuck. I don’t know how the heck the wipers on the tender got dirty in such a short period of time, but they did. They’re not bad, but they do need cleaning.
Jarrell