I have used WD-40 on a q-tip to take rust off the truck castings and sheet metal parts, but DO NOT PUT the WD-40 on the wheel flanges, clean them with a scotch brite pad, if you oil the surface of the wheel that runs on the track it will pick up dirt and turn the oil into hard grease spots and cause problems, wipe away all excess before running so oil does not drip or spray all over. you just want to use enough to remove the corrosion. Buff the parts with a clean cotton rag after cleaning/ oiling and they will look better.
Electrical contact cleaner should be safe to use on the magnet wire coils in the couplers. The contact cleaner can be found at an auto parts store or electronics store like radio shack. You could also use rubbing alcohol sparingly to wipe the coils clean.
-Jason
Be careful using alcohol on the coils themselves. There have been reports of the alcohol softening the insulation on the wire. Use naptha instead for all your cleaning/degreasing needs. It is safe on plastics, and will not harm paint or insulation.
Larry
You mean naphtha, right?
I ruined several armatures by cleaning with alcohol before I realized what was happening. I use mineral spirits.
I don't know that rubbing alcohol would dissolve the insulation.
Yes, sulafool, naphtha it is. Thank you. Small quantities can be purchased as Ronsonol lighter fluid.
Larry, I concur with your use of naphtha--it's great stuff. Doesn't lighter fluid have other ingredients, though? I'm not sure but it seems oilier; maybe not so safe with paint?
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