Blackened Metal Wheels

[Wingnut15]

I have recently updated all my rolling stock to metal wheels.  A huge performance upgrade over the plastic ones as many of you have commented on before. However, I recently have discovered that the pre-blackened wheels will pick up dirt almost as fast as the plastic wheels.  I discovered this first on my locos that came from the factory with blackened metal wheels.  They worked great at first but quickly started showing signs of hesitations on my HO scale DCC controlled system.  I tried the cleaning on the track with a cloth and alcohol and have even tried track cleaner fluids.  I found this does help but does not resolve the problem long term.  Cleaning wheels every couple of weeks seems like a pain to me.  So I removed the wheel sets and polished them with a Sandflex pad and found an amazing improvement.  Removing the blackened surface on the treads has reducing cleaning is down to once every couple of months now.  By the way, the Sandflex pad is far superior to any other type of pad I have ever used.  Works great on track as well. 

I recently purchased a product called NO-OX.  I have read great reviews from other modelers on this product which I am anxious to try.  I found this article in a web search (link below) and am wondering if anyone has tried it on there track system or wheels? 

http://www.nscale.net/forums/content.php?32-Track-cleaning-Linn-Westcott-and-No-Ox

Seems like it would resolve the "dirty wheel" issues as well.  I am hoping so as I have a number of older locos that have those cast alloy drive wheels. They are real dirt catchers and require more frequent cleaning to run smoothly. 

I realize that clean track is the most important issue in DCC operation so hopefully the NO-OX cleaning method will help.

Comments & Questions appreciated.

[jrbernier]

  I have some Kadee metal wheels, and used a motor tool with the small 'buffer' pad that came with the kit to buff off the treads so that they were shiny.  Some of the pre-blackened wheels and rail have the stuff all the way through the material!  Just make sure your Sand-Flex pads have the highest # grit - the 'scratches' will collect dirt and/or oxidize even faster.  I like to use I-M metal wheels, and I spray paint the sides of the wheels  with my weathering mix so that only the treads are normally visible.

  Older Athearn engines have  'sintered' iron wheels and can collect dirt real fast.  I replaced them with Jay Bee or NWSL replacement wheels.

  No-Ox - I would clean the track good before using it.  It is supposed to delay oxidation of the n/s rail.  You want the track 'squeaky' clean before you apply the No-Ox.  IIRC, you wipe it on and wipe it off a few minutes later.  Leaving No-Ox or any electrical contact cleaner on the track will just collect more dirt.  I do a complete cleaning of my track twice a year; using a 'Brite Boy' type abrasive pad and lacquer thinner spread on with a CMX track cleaning car.  I run  the CMX about once a moth before operating sessions.  My biggest problem was that I did not have a finished ceiling in the train room - this creates a dust problem over the years.  I just removed the layout(20' by 25' area) and am completely finishing the room - The new layout(my retirement project) should not have as many issues with dust.

Jim

[Mark R.]

It's a good idea to clean and polish the blackening off of the metal wheel-sets before putting them into service. It will wear off as you run them, but guess where it goes ? .... yup - onto the rails !

So either clean it off the wheels first, or clean it off the track later.

 

Mark.

[Wingnut15]

Actually I don't think the blacken on the wheels actually comes off on the track but rather is very attractive to any dirt that is there.  I have actually been able to almost chip it off the wheels just like what forms on plastic wheels.  Once I polished the blacken part off the treads the dirt collections has been very limited.

[rrebell]

Running engines is what causes the black gunk. The blackened wheels just pick it up easier as do the plastic!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

jrbernier

I have some Kadee metal wheels, and used a motor tool with the small 'buffer' pad that came with the kit to buff off the treads so that they were shiny.

Same here. I found a long time ago there's something about the blackening coating that really loves dirt.

[modelmaker51]

RREBELL is right, it's the loco's and lighted passenger cars that deposit the black gunk on the tracks.The wheels and rails arc (mostly invisible) and create carbon deposits. Then the wheels pick it up.

I have found CRC 2-26 Electronics cleaner to be superior to just about any cleaner out there, including No-Ox. CRC 2-26 cleans and conditions the track, I ony clean my track about once or twice a year. I have yet to have to clean any wheels since I've been using the stuff. It's available from any hardware store.