How do YUZ GUYZ clean your layout and your trains?

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  Just asking this question to get some different ideas.  I usually use an attachment that I bought at Wal Mart that fits on the end of a shop vacthat has a soft brush on it.  I t was made to clean up dust on computer keyboards.  Also have used compressed air too.  Lets hear your idears bouz?

laz57 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

For vacuuming the layout I use a Shop-Vac Hangup vacuum that hangs on the wall, a 12 foot hose and a round brush. As for track cleaning I polished the rails with metal polish about 5 years ago. They haven't needed anything more than a quick wipe with a clean cloth since.

[Phoebe Vet]

Feather duster, shop vac, and an airbrush.  In a couple of places I use an air compressor, but for obvious reasons that wont work most places.

I clean the track with this cheap car:  http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/931-1752   No chemicals, no hand cleaning, no Bright Boys.  I have never had to use anything else.

[fifedog]

...it's how I know the ballast is glued down, proper.

[SantaFe158]

I had read about using canned air so I had to try it.  It works pretty well.  You still have to go over stuff with a rag to get the worst of it off, but if you regularly hit everything with the can, it stays pretty clean for awhile.

[Northwoods Flyer]

Why in the world would you clean your trains?

 

 

In my slice of the hobby we call it "patina" 

 

In all seriousness, I only dust the trains with a dry cotton cloth.  I haven't tried the vacuum attachment yet, but that sounds like a good idea.  The track on my layout is Fastrack so I dust it with a damp cloth and then use a Brite Boy.  Building and vehhicles get the same damp or dry cloth treatment, which explains why it only happens once or twice a year, or if I know that someone is coming to look at the collection.

 

All figures are encouraged to take a bath in the spring whether they need it or not. 

 

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[Blueberryhill RR]

Well, I have a vac that has a set of small tools for a computer, like yours. I also, have a set of soft artist bruushes in 10 different sizes and shapes. They are great for tight places. I clean the track with Scotch pads and alcohol. I do not clean the scenery, as it looks better dusty. I don't know how to clean snow material, just replace it.

Chuck

[Penny Trains]

I let the spiders and meeses do what they want!    Nothing is more realistic than real cobwebs and real footprints!    But that's why my permanent layout is scheduled for replacement! 

Becky

[KRM]

laz 57

Hi GUYZ,

  Just asking this question to get some different ideas. 

 

[quote user="laz 57"]

 

LAZ

 

 

I use a spray bottle with water and a blowgun on dusty rolling stock then a blow dryer to insure no moisture is left on anything. It seems to work great for me. Gets into all of those hard to get areas. On my layout well I have not got to the ground cover point yet so why bother. 

 

Kev.

[azflyer]

Is it not when the dust settles.....that is what is called weathering? When I get to much weathering, I get out my little hand held Mini Shop Vac, with a small brush attachment. Did you not see the giant Haboob in July on national television? This when bigger (shop vac) is better!  If you live in Phoenix, AZ in the “Valley of the Sun”

Valley of the Sun “S” Gaugers 

[AF53]

azflyer

Is it not when the dust settles.....that is what is called weathering? When I get to much weathering, I get out my little hand held Mini Shop Vac, with a small brush attachment. Did you not see the giant Haboob in July on national television? This when bigger (shop vac) is better!  If you live in Phoenix, AZ in the “Valley of the Sun”

Valley of the Sun “S” Gaugers 

That video is amazing to say the least!

Ray

[Seayakbill]

Green Scotch Pad with alcohol and lots of elbow grease for the track. One of those synthetic dusters for rolling stock and buildings.

[balidas]

Dang! And all we get sometimes down here are hurricanes.

azflyer

Is it not when the dust settles.....that is what is called weathering? When I get to much weathering, I get out my little hand held Mini Shop Vac, with a small brush attachment. Did you not see the giant Haboob in July on national television? This when bigger (shop vac) is better!  If you live in Phoenix, AZ in the “Valley of the Sun”

Valley of the Sun “S” Gaugers 

[wallyworld]

For track, I use commercial electrical contact cleaner applied to  a soft cloth..lightly. For equipment, I use a lightly damp soft cloth with no cleaner if there is no heavy gunk with Q tips for odd spaces. Even detergent usually leave a residue that dulls the finish unless you do a rinse | dry cycle. For buildings, same technique used for equipment..  and for landscape ( Which I think is the biggest challenge), I have yet to find a small vac I like, so I use a lightly powered battery vac..o.k but not perfect.

The real challenge in all this is to prevent dust, my layout room has a tabletop air filter that has worked very good to cut it down ..also avoiding open windows in the room. Its amazing how much gunk ends up in the filter.

[traindaddy1]

I huff, puff and blow the dust.   For really tough stuff, I ask my neighbor to come over and tell me about himself, his family and all the great things he has been doing!!!!!  

Usually hold a feather duster above the track and let the trains run by.  The duster also works well on the "fastened down" buildings and accessories.  A mini-vac attachment to the big vac and a small artist brush for in and around the smaller movable items like the people..  For the tiny ins and out places, 'Q' tips work well.   An old rag along the tubular track.     I have used the compressed air but I found it a little too powerful for me to control.       

Great question............Great ideas.         Thanks for asking.