Looking for Pearl Drops substitute

[Anonymous]

In Kalmbach's "Maintaining & Repairing Your Model Trains" and in several other places, Pearl Drops tooth polishing liquid was recommended for accelerating the break-in on gearboxes. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find Pearl Drops anywhere, even searching on the internet.

Anyone know where I can find Pearl Drops and/or know of an acceptable substitute? Thanks.

Pete
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[Anonymous]

Hi Pete, Most any toothpaste will accomplish what you are wanting to do provided it is not the "gel" type toothpaste. The abrasive in toothpaste is baking soda and/or silica. Its necessary to throughly clean the gears and etc afterwards otherwise the "grinding" will just continue on.

I'm really surprised to learn that Kalmbach would reccomend such a proceedure though. In my opinion the gears in a model loco are too delicate for such a proceedure,especially on plastic gears. The accelerated wearing in of gears is not a substitute for proper alignment, correct mesh and correct lubrication. To quote the good folks at Northwest Shortline Co....."Gears don't wear in...they wear out" I'd think twice about this before you try this on an expensive loco. Look for the cause of the tightness and try to correct that. Take Care and Have Fun...Vic

[Anonymous]

If it was an expensive loco, I wouldn't expect to have to even consider this option.

I purchased a Bachman Spectrum HO FM 16-44. It looks pretty, but sounds like a thrashing machine on the tracks. I posted on another forum and found a lot of folks w/ the same issue. The ones who kept the loco did the Pearl Drops trick. When I recently bought the Kalmbach book, I saw the Pearl Drops trick, and decided to post again.

Thanks, and I am having fun. - Pete

[Anonymous]

does it work. will it work for athearn.the only one having problems with....

[dknelson]

there are burrs on gears that it helps smooth out. A top quality drive should not need the treatment -- but how many of THOSE are there out there? MR used to recommend jewelers rouge -- a light abrasive. Perhaps Soft Scrub (home cleaning product) is a bit too abrasive.
Dave Nelson