"melting foam" on stored brass engines.

[Anonymous]

What's the best way to remove "melted" foam on brass locos that have been stored a long time? I recently unpacked several brass ho engines that I had stored for 10+ years and found that the foam had stuck pretty badly on a couple of my steam brass locos. Help!! Doc

[Fergmiester]

Let me first say [#welcome]

I've heard of this happening before and it can be a nightmare if not taken care of properly.

Is the Engine painted? If not don't worry a good laquer based solvent will take care of the foam. However make sure the room is well ventilated as the fumes will get you.

If the model is painted then you will have to use a solvent that is compatible with with the paint. For this I would ask your LHS for a recomendation.

On either scenario ask your LHS and GOooooooo SLOooooow

[dknelson]

Yes it is a real problem. I have had it on older brass, but also on old AHM/Rivarossi steam locomotives. The problem as I understand it is due to fumes in the air from lubricants.
you might want to try using pure alcohol perhaps watered down with distilled water. It has a slight solvent effect and dries quickly. As with any experiment try it on a hidden part first.
Do NOT use an ordinary Q-Tip for this -- the cotton is loose and might stick to the model making the problem worse not better. Art supply stores sell things that look like Q-tips but which are rolled fabric and which are just slightly more abrasive. Also there are lines of small applicators for glue or paint that look like miniature q-tips which do not shed the abrasive part -- plastic sticks with tiny balls of fuzz at the end.

This does show the wisdom of keeping brass in the plastic wrap or plastic bags it comes in.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

If the model is painted, my dad discovered that an automotive adhiesive cleaner called "Acrili-Clean" does a wonderful job removing the stuck on foam. Cars have the unique problem of needing get adhiesive removed, yet not damage the paint and the same time. and "Acrili-Clean" is specially formulated not to attack paint. It should be avialable at most auto supply stores.

James

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys for the replys-I wish I had known about this forum earlier. Will enjoy being a new member. Doc

[Anonymous]

Remember, the best way to prevent this is to stop it before it starts. Always wrap your brass in clear plastic to aid in installation and removal of the model from the foam, and in case whe foam "melts", its easier to replace the plastic than to clean the model. Clear plastic, not plastic wrap is best. Plastic wrap (kitchen type) tends to have sticking problems of its own.

[tatans]

My question is: why would a person buy a beautiful brass engine and stuff it away in a box for 10 years? ----- absolutely mystifying.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

My question is: why would a person buy a beautiful brass engine and stuff it away in a box for 10 years? ----- absolutely mystifying.

Could be a combination of things, limited run's,(yeah, I'm gonna model XYZ Lines, and this engine is perfect for that, so I'll store it for years), building a layout and trying not to get it (the engine(s))dusty, hoping the wife doesnt find it, just to name a few.

[tatans]

Sorry, can't possibly accept the above reasons for putting engines in boxes. Now about FOAM: Brass makers pack engines in the cheapest and worst (high sulphur content0 foam for the purpose of shipping, not long term storage, Try contacting actual foam manufacturers with your problem, there are hundreds of types of plastic based foam products and rubber foam all for very specific applications. also cardboard and paper products from the Orient use highly acidic and sulphur laden chemicals to make paper (not too many environmental laws enforced) I would suggest removing the engine to a safer foam product and discarding the shipping box if the engine is of any value.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

Sorry, can't possibly accept the above reasons for putting engines in boxes. Now about FOAM: Brass makers pack engines in the cheapest and worst (high sulphur content0 foam for the purpose of shipping, not long term storage, Try contacting actual foam manufacturers with your problem, there are hundreds of types of plastic based foam products and rubber foam all for very specific applications. also cardboard and paper products from the Orient use highly acidic and sulphur laden chemicals to make paper (not too many environmental laws enforced) I would suggest removing the engine to a safer foam product and discarding the shipping box if the engine is of any value.

Tatans,
I wasn't making excuses for them, just pointing out a few situations that i have observed personally.
Frankly, some brass owners are the worst thing that could happen to the models.
Consider the following:
They think they have an investment. Truth is, if you really think the sale of your brass collection is gonna pay for your retirement, well,, ya better like dog food[xx(]!!! There are a lot of other financial vehicles that will pay off better.

The collector side of it does'nt think about sulphur in the foam, they want everything original, including the box. Chucking the box and foam is sacrelige to them. Besides, If you tra***he box, how is one to know who made it or what it really is[?] (If this is really the case, they need to learn more about brass, or they could buy a gold painted Tyco engine in a PFM box[}:)]) They also are dumbfounded when an engine they stored 20 years ago(running) wont run now.

Yea sports fans, they do deteriorate and stiffen up in the box. Take out your brass, play with it, enjoy it, or at the very least, keep it in a display case so you can at least gaze upon it and visually enjoy it. ( I can see mine from here![:D]) Otherwise, why bother? [?][?][?]

[darth9x9]

I don't want to start a flame war but __SOME__ brass collectors collect brass just to collect. Just like some people collect beanie babies, pokemon cards, or Hard Rock Cafe pins. It is the thrill of the chase that provides the exhilaration. I know this as I have lots of collections that come through my keyboard - www.brasstrains.com.