Cleaning crud from the wheels....your suggestions.

[Buckeye Riveter]

I need to clean the built up crude from several passenger and freight car wheels.   I was going to jump right and use GOO GONE, Q-tips, and a small screw driver for the chunky stuff, but if you have some better suggestions, I'm all ears.

[ben10ben]

A dremel tool with a brass brush. Set it to a fairly low speed, touch it to the wheel, and all the crud will be gone in a few seconds.

This also is a good way to see how your wheels are spinning and where you need oil. With the wheels spinning at a couple thousand RPMs, you'll know if something isn't working quite right. 

[wrmcclellan]

...and a benefit of using the Dremel is that you will be able to see just how much crud you cleaned off because it will be all over you and the walls and anything else close to you at the time. You might soak the wire brush in some alchohol for even more fun!

[csxt30]

Same method I used to use, but my Dremel broke & had to use my E-xacto knife the other night to clean some wheels. I scraped, then cleaned a bit more with swobs & denatured alcohal. Oh, when I use the Dremel again, I always wear safetey glasses, so watch your eyes !

 Thanks, John

[spankybird]

Clean it off???? I thought that was for a cushion ride and to make the cars run quieter ! !

[cbq9911a]

For the real crud, a Dremel tool with a wire wheel.

For lesser crud, soak a paper towel with Goo Gone and roll the car back and forth through the towel.

[Deputy]

Ahhh...but what if the crud is magnet junk stock to wheels and axles on locos?

Dep

[More to restore]

I do it the same way as Ben: Dremel with a brass brush.

The goo goes off and my hands turn black, but these are easily cleaned with soap...

 

Good luck,

Egbert 

[3railguy]

For postwar, I use a the wire wheel on my bench grinder holding the truck assembly firmly and carefully. Takes the crud off quickly and restores electrical continuity for insulated control rails.

[pbjwilson]

[Buckeye Riveter]

Clean it off???? I thought that was for a cushion ride and to make the cars run quieter ! !

I used to think that too, until the lights on the cars seem to be blinking more and more.  (BTW, how's Spankybird?)

Thanks for the suggestions with the Dremmel Tool, my weapon of choice. 

Paul, is that a Benford XXXLLL Dremmel Tool used by Tim on his Tool Time Show?

[mickey4479]

I use goo gone and a paper towel generally, but if the crude is thick, I use an old razor blade and turn the wheel to scrape.  I cleaned the wheels on a lionel 0-4-0 and tender last night because the loco would not run on the track under my Christmas tree.  I also cleaned the track, and it runs well.  It is an older loco, 1986 I believe, and I bought it used.  The rollers for the center rail are black and discolored and I tired to scrape those with a razor blade.  They are clean but the discoloration remains.  Any tips on cleaning rollers other than what has been said?

[Jumijo]

For cleaning crud off wheels, I use a small, flat blade screw driver to remove the majority, then use a Dremel tool w/ wire brush. I'll clean everything up with a swab soaked in alcohol.

For rollers, I use a rubber attachment (looks like a green pencil eraser) in my Dremel tool. Makes the rollers and drive wheels on locos shine like chrome. 

Jim 

[wallyworld]

 I have used denatured alcohol for some time and it works well with nothing more sophisticated than a Q-tip.

[sulafool]

Jaabat knows his crud! 

I've found that if you don't knock off the heavy stuff first the Dremel will only polish the dirt. Also, the wire wheels shed bristles that turn into very painful splinters (murphy's law). Nobody mentioned the accelerated wear to the wheelsets caused by spinning at extreme Dremel speed, but I guess convenience trumps that.

It's the solvent and q tip that really does the job; amazing how dirty the wheels still are even after a vigorous Dremelling... BTW, my suggestion is to use the attachments that look like a puffy scotchbrite instead of the wire brushes. They don't last as long but don't splinter and won't leave metal fragments where you don't want them. 

[Jumijo]

Jaabat knows his crud! 

I've found that if you don't knock off the heavy stuff first the Dremel will only polish the dirt. Also, the wire wheels shed bristles that turn into very painful splinters (murphy's law). Nobody mentioned the accelerated wear to the wheelsets caused by spinning at extreme Dremel speed, but I guess convenience trumps that.

It's the solvent and q tip that really does the job; amazing how dirty the wheels still are even after a vigorous Dremelling... BTW, my suggestion is to use the attachments that look like a puffy scotchbrite instead of the wire brushes. They don't last as long but don't splinter and won't leave metal fragments where you don't want them. 

 

I don't use the metal wire brush. I use a soft wire brush with black plastic fibers.

Jim 

[Smoke Stack Lightnin']

I use goo gone soaked rollers with Centerline's Rail Cleaner car to clean tracks along with a consist of my crudiest cars.  It cleans and evaporates from the contact surfaces, and any subsequent run-off makes the lower parts of the tubular and ballast look cool.  So far, no adverse effect on traction tires, not sure about long term effect of this product on traction tires.

Rich F.

[ChiefEagles]

Ahhh...but what if the crud is magnet junk stock to wheels and axles on locos?

Dep

anyone that know Toy Trains, knows better.    

[RR Redneck]

Dude, if it involves cleaning, I have two words for you,...........acne pads. That and a jewler's screwdriver should get the job done right quick and in a hurry.

[ChiefEagles]

Dude, if it involves cleaning, I have two words for you,...........acne pads. That and a jewler's screwdriver should get the job done right quick and in a hurry.

Now that is a new one.  I will put that in my book of "train tips".  Thanks for sharing that bit of knowledge.

[Deputy]

Ahhh...but what if the crud is magnet junk stock to wheels and axles on locos?

Dep

anyone that know Toy Trains, knows better.    

Sorry...I never met "better". Please enlighten this poor ignoramus to the secrets of cleaning metal shavings from magnetized parts...oh great and powerful Oz

Geez I love thease new smileys

Dep

BTW...I don't play with "toys". I'm a scale train OPERATOR

[RR Redneck]

Dude, if it involves cleaning, I have two words for you,...........acne pads. That and a jewler's screwdriver should get the job done right quick and in a hurry.

Now that is a new one.  I will put that in my book of "train tips".  Thanks for sharing that bit of knowledge.

I use acne pads for everything, cleaning track, softening decals, cleaning decals, cleaning permanant marker (if relatively fresh), the list goes on and on. Basically if it requires some form of cleaning something, I use acne pads.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Dude, if it involves cleaning, I have two words for you,...........acne pads. That and a jewler's screwdriver should get the job done right quick and in a hurry.

Now that is a new one.  I will put that in my book of "train tips".  Thanks for sharing that bit of knowledge.

I use acne pads for everything, cleaning track, softening decals, cleaning decals, cleaning permanant marker (if relatively fresh), the list goes on and on. Basically if it requires some form of cleaning something, I use acne pads.

I agree with the Chief, that is a new one, but it makes perfect sense.   Is there a medication in the acne pad or only alchohol? 

[RR Redneck]

I think, dont quote me, that it is just a textured pad soaked in alchol. There could be some kind of medication, but I rightly dont know.

[Buckeye Riveter]

I think, don't quote me, that it is just a textured pad soaked in alcohol. There could be some kind of medication, but I rightly don't know.

I assume that they can be purchased at Walgreen's, CVS or other fine stores that carry medications.

[RR Redneck]

Wal-Mart, HEB, the corner convenient store, you can get them almost anywhere.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Wal-Mart, HEB, the corner convenient store, you can get them almost anywhere.

Again Thanks, Eric.  It is suggestions like this that really put the meat on the table for this forum.  Not only do I want to try this on my O-Scale equipment, but my G-Scale is also a candidate. 

[RR Redneck]

Wal-Mart, HEB, the corner convenient store, you can get them almost anywhere.

Again Thanks, Eric.  It is suggestions like this that really put the meat on the table for this forum.  Not only do I want to try this on my O-Scale equipment, but my G-Scale is also a candidate. 

Trust me pardner, it works wonders on mild corrosion an just general gunk on G scale wheels and rails. It takes a lot of persistance, but it dont screw up your track or wheels like sandpaper does.

[Deputy]

I think the item Eric might be referring to is Stridex medicated pads. The active ingredient in Stridex is Salicylic acid. Here's the gobbldygoop on what it does on people.

 Also known as 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (one of several beta hydroxy acids (compare to AHA)), salicylic acid is the key additive in many skin-care products for the treatment of acne, psoriasis, callouses, corns, keratosis pilaris and warts. It treats acne by causing skin cells to slough off more readily, preventing pores from clogging up. This effect on skin cells also makes salicylic acid an active ingredient in several shampoos meant to treat dandruff.

So if you can clean up your wheels and clear up your zits with the same item! Cool!!!

Dep

[ben10ben]

Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in aspirin and a number of other pain killers.