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Cleaning locos and rolling stock
Cleaning locos and rolling stock
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PennsyHoosier
Member since
October 2004
From: Northern Indiana
1,000 posts
Cleaning locos and rolling stock
Posted by
PennsyHoosier
on Friday, November 5, 2004 9:56 PM
What do you folks use to clean your locos and rolling stock?
Lawrence, The Pennsy Hoosier
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ben10ben
Member since
January 2003
From: Frankfort, Kentucky
1,758 posts
Posted by
ben10ben
on Friday, November 5, 2004 10:30 PM
In O gauge, I usually remove the body from the frame, and dunk it in warm, soapy water. After scrubbing with an old toothbrush and drying off, I spray on Pledge to restore the factory shine. If the finish is bad enough that Pledge doesn't do it, I try smoke fluid. If the smoke fluid doesn't work, I use 3-in-1 oil, which will always get the job done.
The frame gets removed from the trucks, quickly dunked in water, and then dried and coated in 3-in-1 oil.
Keep in mind that any of the cleaners mentioned above probably won't be too friendly if you wi***o repaint, reletter, or weather your plastic bodies. I only do that because I wi***o make my trains look(shine) like new. If you simply wi***o remove dirt, soap and water will suffice.
Ben TCA 09-63474
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ben10ben
Member since
January 2003
From: Frankfort, Kentucky
1,758 posts
Posted by
ben10ben
on Friday, November 5, 2004 10:37 PM
Here's what the above process did to a Lionel tender
Before:
After
I did touch up some of the paint chips with a Sharpie, but all the other improvments(except for rust removal) are the result of soap, water, and 3-in-1 oil.
Ben TCA 09-63474
Reply
PennsyHoosier
Member since
October 2004
From: Northern Indiana
1,000 posts
Posted by
PennsyHoosier
on Saturday, November 6, 2004 10:50 AM
Thanks, Ben, that's very helpful. Any other approaches out there?????
Lawrence, The Pennsy Hoosier
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Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Saturday, November 6, 2004 11:33 AM
I use all kind of acids... they make to disappear anything, including the whole rolling stock. This helps me to get rid of things to clean huahuahuahua!!!!!
BTW. I use a broken piece of sponge wet on water and a bit of neutral detergent, just that, the result is great!!!!
I hope I have helped you somehow.[:D]
Reply
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AntonioFP45
Member since
December 2003
From: Good ol' USA
9,641 posts
Posted by
AntonioFP45
on Friday, November 4, 2005 2:41 PM
Since my units sit on shelves for long time periods they get pretty dusty.
Routine I use:
Carry Freight and passenger cars to the kitchen counter. Small tray with warm, soapy water. Gently scrub roofs and sides with old, soft toothbrush. Rinse with tap water from the sink, or a spray bottle filled with warm water. Amazingly, very little water gets into the trucks and couplers. Next, gently towel dry or blow with compressed air.
Total elapsed time: Approximately 1 minute per car. Results: NICE!
Locomotives, similar routine, however remove the body from the chassis and take extra care when cleaning around details, such as lift rings, windshield wipers, and cab shades. For hood units, baby's toothbrushes fit nicely along the walkways without having to remove the handrail sets. BE CAREFUL!
Time: Approximately 3 minutes per unit.
Hope this helps!
"
I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
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