Dremel

[tumbleweed56]

Has anyone used a dremel tool to clean rust and mildew off Lionel train wheels? I have some old train cars that were kept in a damp basement, and need to be cleaned up. I am curious which accessories people have used such as brushes, cleaning compounds and such.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

I have used the dremel to clean metal parts on my locos. For stubborn rust and such I used the metal brush attachment. Don't know the part number for sure. Worked like a charm!

[ben10ben]

Use a carbon steel brush for rust, as well as for dirt on the wheels. For mildew, use a bristle brush with some 3-in-1 oil on low speed. Remember with all brushes to not exceed 15,000 RPMs, or setting 5 on a variable speed tool.

Reserve the felt wheels and polishing compound for polishing the parts that need to be shiny. You can also use the felt and polishing compound to remove scratches from plastic, as well as to shine it. Just remember to keep the speed very, very low(no higher than 2 on a variable speed tool), and always keep it moving with a very light touch. Try to dig in or leave it sitting on a spot, and you'll melt a hole right through the plastic quicker than anything.

Polishing compound shouldn't be used to remove rust. It's a fine abrasive meant for polishing, and nothing else.

[Chris F]

Like Ben noted, the steel brushes work well to clean wheels. But beware; The brushes shed small steel wires. Use a variable-speed Dremel at its slowest setting (the higher the rpm, the faster shedding). Protect your eyes with safety googles and your nose and mouth with a mask. I clean gunk off my locomotive's wheels with Goo-Gone because of concern with getting the steel wires into the gears/motor.

Also, keep the steel brush away from the truck sideframes. That's where you use Ben's recommendation of a fiber brush and a little oil with metal sideframes.

[Anonymous]

I have used brass brushes for removing light rust, it has worked well. For heavy rust use the carbon steel. Dremel’s nylon brush also comes in handy.