Cleaning Wheels

[C&O Fan]

How do you clean the wheels on your rolling stock

I have both metal and plastic wheel sets and all are equally dirty

I'm wondering about a dremel with a wire brush wheel ?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I've used the wire brush wheel before. It works well as long as you don't put pressure on it. Putting any pressure on it can damage the plastic wheels. What I do now is to put an alcohol wetted paper towel across the rails and roll the car in question across it, moving the towel a little after each time. I do this until no more sludge appears on the towel. For cleanin g my loco wheels I use a Kadee Speedy Driver Cleaner.

[MisterBeasley]

I tried one of those little white buffer wheels once.  It immediately wore a groove in a plastic wheel.  I replaced the wheels, and put away the Dremel.  It's got much to much power for a delicate job like that.

I'm with Jeffrey on the alcohol-soaked paper towel.  I use that for engines.  Just put one truck on the towel, and the other directly on the tracks.  Turn up the power and watch the gunk come off your wheels.

[BRAKIE]

I use alcohol and a paper towel..I put alcohol on the towel then lay the towel on the track and run the engine or car back and forth over the towel.

BTW..A cute trick is to do this while you are running trains..Not only do you clean the engines wheels but,the cars wheels as well.Just let the train run over the alcohol soak towel 2-3 times as it makes it loops.

[mobilman44]

Hi,

I've used the Dremel with the soft brass wire brush wheel and like others have said, I go easy with it.  It works nicely, although do yourself a favor and wear safety glasses.  Of course if/when you clean your car wheels, you really should do a manual cleaning of the track as well, or you are just wasting your time.

ENJOY,

Mobilman44

[Tilden]

I just pick up the car, flip it over and clean the wheels with an alcohol soaked Q-tip.  It may take a bit more time, but you get the wheeks very clean and you don't have to do it often.

Tilden