What's the best why to clean all the grease and oil off of a 224 or 1666 type engine?

[Lionel1950]

I use WW40 outside and spray every where there's grease and oil using the plastic tub that comes with the can to get into the real tight spots.After that I use tuner cleaner and wipe everything down----I'd say I get about 90 per cent of the dirt. Any ideas out there on how  I could do a better job but not effect the coating on the copper wires?

Steven Douglas

[cwburfle]

It really depends on where the grease/oil has built up, and how much. If it is hard grease, I will often remove it with a pick or scraper blade. I have some plastic and wooden ones. If using a metal tool, one has to be careful to avoid scratching.

I often use a little mineral spirits on a rag, Qtip, or paper towel.

I try to avoid aerosols whenever possible, including WD-40.

In my area WD-40 is also available in non-aerosol containers.
I often use it to protect my tools.

[Lionel1950]

Thanks---I liked the fact that the aerosol blew the dirt and grease  into the rag---it did a good job but it's not cheap---and it is messy 

[Lionel1950]

I'd like to find something you could set the whole thing in to soak and not hurt the wires 

[M. Mitchell Marmel]

I generally use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab.  Gets the gunk out with minimum fuss and muss.  :)

Mitch

[TrainLarry]

An excellent cleaner and degreaser is naptha (lighter fluid). It is safe on all plastics and does not affect paint. Alcohol may affect paint. Any solvent will loosen decals, so be cautious.

Larry

[Lionel1950]

For the most part I'm looking to clean the drive train. In some of these pre and post war steam engines, I collect mainly pre war, you can't take the armuture out to do a complete cleaning job without pulling a few wheels.  I'm looking of something that will not soften the coatings on the windings but will soften the grease and oil so I can wash and rinse it off, and do it with out coasting and arm and a leg. 

[TrainLarry]

Naptha is your answer. Available in hardware stores cheap. Ronson lighter fluid is naptha. I use it all the time to clean and repair trains, and also around the house.

Larry

[Lionel1950]

Thanks Larry, I'll give it a try---as a kid I liked playing with matches---glad I'm past that phase of life if I'm going to use lighter fluid-----LOL---I could buy enough to fill a coffee can or something like it, and use it as a parts cleaner, that way I wouldn't waste any and only get rid off it when it was beyond dirty----Thanks again--that never crossed my mind.

Steven

[TRAINCAT]

Naptha DOES effect paint. It is used by airbrush people to thin enamels and for clean up. I use it for these purposes. What I do not know, is if it will damage the lacquer coating on armatures?
Roger

[TrainLarry]

Naptha will not affect the dried paint on our trains, and will not affect the lacquer coating on motor windings like alcohol does.

Larry

[Lionel1950]

Thanks Larry. This will make cleaning this stuff up a whole lot easier.