Cleaning Flyer Whitewalls?

[choochin3]

How do I clean the white part of the driving wheels on my AF steam locos?
They have a yellowi***int to them,can I use bleach and a Qtip to make them white again?

Thanks,
Carl T.

[howgreenfield]

Hi....Don't know about bleach, I would be hesitant... In the past, I have used GOO Gone on a Q-Tip for whitewalls, lettering and stripes....But ALWAYS very slowly, gently, and carefully....you sure do not want to do any damage...Good luck, and be careful...

[hugoroundhouse]

I use a Q-Tip dipped in a capful of track cleaner to get oil and crud off my Flyers, but I've never been successful in getting the more "yellowy" ones to come pure white again. I do know what you mean, though. If I have an engine with real white wheels next to a loco with yellow ones, you can really tell the difference. I wouldn't go the bleach route - too risky for my old locos.

Jim E.

[ben10ben]

Most parts vendors sell the white insulators by themselves. Last time I checked, they were about $.15 each.

If you go this route, you will first need to scribe a line across the wheel and axle using a pencil. Pull the wheel using a wheel puller or a screwdriver wedged under it. Using your thumbs, pry the tire off the back of the wheel. These are often loose, and should come right off. The whitewall will then pop off the front with some effort. Then put the new whitewall on, making sure that it's flush with the front of the wheel. You can then put the tire on, which should hold more securely than it did before. You should now be able to mount the wheel back on the axle, using your line to make sure it's quartered properly.