I recently brought a trunk down from my attic. Inside was a Lionel Union Pacific F3 diesel engine covered by what appears to be a white mildew/mold. I am looking for suggestions on how to clean this without damaging the equipment.
dmic
Take white vinegar and water, mixed about 75/25, and lightly scrub with an old tooth brush. You may have to do it twice.
Roger
What is the model number of the engine?
I ask because some older Lionel pieces can develop a white waxy deposit that looks like mildew. But it is not. It is the mold release compound that comes to the surface after many years. If you have mold release compound on your loco, then it can be melted away with gentle heat from a hair dryer.
OK, I'm new to this forum and not adept at using the system. Thank you for the suggestion. In fact i tried the hair dryer with a most skeptical approach but it was successful. What I have started with is a Lionel Union Pacific F3A #2023. It took about one minute when the grey moldy stuff started to disappear like fog from a mirror. I am grateful for the suggestion and more grateful for its success.
I received two replies to my question. I have only figured out how to reply to this one but want to express my thanks to both contributors.
The Postwar Lionel 2023 in yellow is one of the locomotives that is notorious for developing the mold release compound film.
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