Safely removing dust from old locomotive paint

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello,

Have a quick question. I need some advice how to remove excessive dust from an old custom painted EL F-7A and B unit from about 20 years ago. It is an Athearn Blue Box. I ran it around the track today and noticed that there is quite a bit of dust on the shells. I know I have to be careful or I could damage the paint. I don’t own an air compressor unfortunately.

Thanks for any advice.

Steve

2

I use the dust-away cans from any home depot or computer store.

3

I use a soft, sable hair brush and lightly brush the dust off with it. As you noted, you have to be somewhat careful to not do it too hard or you could damage fine details. A sable hair brush is very soft, unlike most regular bristle brushes.

4

I too say use a brush

careful with the canned air as if you tip the can very cold fluid can come out and it will damage the model

Ken

5

Thanks for the advice. I will look for that type of hair brush to use on the paint. Thanks!

6

I know this is going to sound “weird”, but I keep it very simple.

On my Atlas, Proto 2000, Athearn, and Stewart units, I remove the shells with details still attached. I line them up on the kitchen counter. One by one, I hold each shell over the sink and drip soapy water onto them from a thick sponge. I then gently rinse with tap water. Next I blow it off with my airbrush. IMHO, 99% of the dust is gone!

Easy job, no damages.

7

A camera lens brush works great. The kind with a rubber bulb to create an air blast through the bristles.
Any camera store should have them for a couple of bucks.

(I had a photo to post but this “new and improved” site won’t let me do it…)

8

Bill,

Great idea…I have a few of those hanging around…

Brian

9
I use warm soapy water and a Q-tip to remove dust from both locos and rolling stock.use light pressure then rinse off the soap.Works great!


10

The ideas with the brushes seem to work best for my situation with the custom painted EL. I don’t think soap is a good option for that locomotive, but something definitely I will consider with my new NS locos that have no significant painting on them.

Thanks again for the advice.

Steve