How clean grotty used turnouts?

[Anonymous]

My pop gave me a dozen used HO turnouts (Atlas NS MK II remotes) that he 'picked up' on e-Bay a couple years ago as I'm just beginning to build a layout. They are FILTHY (please excuse the shouting). What I'm wondering is if I dare put them into the dishwasher to give them an initial washing.... before I tackle rail corrosion?

They otherwise look to be in pretty good shape and I don't want to take a bru***o them and inadvertanly bend points or such.......

Anybody ever tried cleanup of track like that before... and what kind of outcome experienced?

[ben10ben]

I would take the machine off of them first, but other than that, you should be fine putting them in the dishwasher. I know several people who do that quite frequently with their steel O gauge track, and have no trouble, so nickel silver should be fine.

[NZRMac]

I suspect the plastic bits won't like the dishwasher, most dishwashers heat to aleast 45 degrees C ( this side of the world anyway) would a good scrub with alcohol cleaner make em shine. Mayby leave them as they are you won't have to weather them!!

Ken

[Anonymous]

no problem no problem, just spend a little time with a bright boy, itll clean em up real good. I wouldnt put them in the dishwasher though. Like ken was saying it could soften the plastic and really cause some trouble.

[Anonymous]

OK, thanks, guys. I'll try the alcohol with an old toothbrush and a Bright Boy. :)

[twhite]

I've had success with warm soap and water and a denture toothbrush (they're a little bigger and a little stiffer than the ordinary toothbrush). Tends to get all the crud out of places it's crept into. Then a Bright Boy, then maybe a little shot of electronic conctact cleaner at the points. Oh yeah, make sure you clean the rail webs where the rail joiners will go. Generally speaking, turnouts are pretty easy to clean.
Tom

[Anonymous]

Than k you, Tom.