Does anyone know where I can find Pearldrops tooth polish? I’ve checked most of the drug stores, Target, and Walmart, but can’t find it. Some have the tooth paste, but not the polish.
Is there an acceptable substitute if I give up looking for it? I’ve considered using automotive rubbing compound, but I’m afraid that it might be difficult to remove from the gears after running them in.
Thanks.
Use whatever you can find, except valve lapping compound (too aggressive).Most important is to disassemble everything and clean very well and reassemble with high grade plastic compatible grease on the gears and oil on the bearings. While you have it apart, Shim out the excess end play in the worm gears (get washers from Horizon). You want the gears to turn freely but not move end to end.
http://www.pearldrops.com/faqs.aspx
Or Google “pearl drops tooth polish” (without the quotes). I got 448,000 hits, many of which appeared to be selling the product.
HTH,
Steve
DON’T USE RUBBING COMPOUND! I just tried that and screwed up a SW. Everythings lose and sloppy now.[V] I’ve looked in 6 stores in the past 2 weeks and can’t find Pearl Drops either. I was thinking some kind of metal polish that’s not as abrasive as rubbing compound.
“DON’T USE RUBBING COMPOUND!”
Sure am glad I asked, I was going to try it. I’ve only been waiting so long because I figured it to be a bear to clean off the gears.
FAQs say Walmart and Amazon. I’ve been to Walmart and Amazon, like most places, only carries the toothpaste. I guess I’ll bite the bullet, find a place online that has it and pay outrageous shipping for a $4 bottle of tooth polish. [sigh]
I wish I knew what I use [:I] I have a tiny bottle of a gear lapping compound that was actually sold for model railroaders. This tiny bottle has been with me 25 years and it’s only half gone. The label is long gone. It may have been an old LaBelle product but I don’t think they sell it anymore.
I recently used soft scrub cleaning paste in the gears. Made the gears quiet and the clean up was very easy using an old tooth brush and water. I’m pretty sure it’s availible in stores everwhere.
Try just looking for “tooth” polish, there are other brands. But in fact any mild abrasive cleaner will work. You can also “dress” the gear teeth with some 600 grit emery paper, or just put some smiles on the loco, 30-40 hrs of running will break it in good.