I need to clean some wheels on diff engines what the best way to do that? and i need to lube some of my engines and i have diff ones i have walters, Life Like and Tyco i am new at this so not sure how to oil them they are all diff looking under the shell
I answered your question over here!!
http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2435
Ken.
You have a few choices of cleaners & methods.
This is what I prefer and to each his//her own.
In my inventory of cleaners, Goo Gone, Alcohol, Act, Brite Boy etc, etc, etc I prefer the metal past cleaner-polisher-retarder, www.maasinc.com a two oz paste in a tube for $3.50 at Wal-Mart.
Turning the loco over, attaching power leads from the track(aligator clips) and the opposite bear
wire end placing them on the backside of the pick-up drivers for electrical contact.
Use a small piece of 100%cotton t-shirt material and wrap it around the tip of a SMALL blade screw
driver.
Then put a dab of MAAS on the tip, throttle up your pack and place against the spinning drivers.
I used this application on a 1963 HO Steamer made for the Lionel Corp. First cleaning in 40 years.WOW!
I also use MAAS on my track, cleaning both railheads at a time.
The best source of information is the information sheet that came with each loco. Tells you
how to remove the shell and expose the gear housing. You should get yourself a package of " Labelle" a lubrication package that consists of a gear oil for metal gears, white grease for plastic gears,medium oil for axle & gearbox bearings & light oil for motor bearing, side rod screws(Steam locos).
No household/automotive oils!
Cleaning out the mechanism first of the older lubricants for best results is recommended before applying fresh lubricants. Apply a dab with a toothpick for truck gears. A tiny amount goes a long way. Don’t be generious, use sparingly.