I recently got a used Aristo-Craft FA-1 locomotive from a friend. The wheels are dirty and appear to be a bit corroded. What can I use to clean and shine them up and get rid of the corrosion without ruining the metal wheels?
Thanks!
I use one of those rubber track cleaners made for small scale track. It’s a bit tedious but it works.
I think there is (or used to be) an article on Aristocraft’s website about making an electric wheel cleaner.
Kadee sells the Speedi Driver Cleaner #843 for G Gauge. It hooks up to either the rails or to the transformer (depending on how you want to do it) with alligator clips. I’ve had mine for years and am happy with it. I just saw a new one on ebay for $16.95 I think it was.
Aristo diesel wheels are a weird plating on top of steel. The steel can rust easily. The Kadee wire brush works well for me, or get the drivers spinning and hit them with a small wire brush in a Dremel.
Once the plating goes, if you are in a humid environment, the rust will keep coming.
If you keep having problems, get replacement wheels from NWSL (Northwest Short Lines). They used to carry them in both Nickle Silver and in Stainless Steel, but since they were sold, I seem to remember they have the NS ones only.
Regards, Greg