Cleaning your models?

[RobertInOntario]

I'm a little surprised that some people manage to not handle their locos at all. Because I have a small layout with limited storage on it, I'm constantly lifting them off and on & putting them into storage & getting others out. I don't really have much choice.

The locos aren't in too bad shape, although the odd one is a little sticky or might have some finger prints on it. I'm also run a number of them with my 6-year-old and even he lifts them up, although I try to watch him like a hawk.

I also see a layer of dust on some of the locos and rolling stock. I simply try to blow the dust off or use a Q-Tip for the hard to reach places. In extreme cases, sometimes I will take the plastic body off the loco and wash it in mild soapy water.

Rob

[sgtcarl1]

While we're on the topic, is it safe to submerge the electrical motors in rubbing alcohol? Woulld it be okay to just flush them out, if it's not advisable to submerge them? Any better way to clean them thoroughly?

[Russ Bellinis]

While we're on the topic, is it safe to submerge the electrical motors in rubbing alcohol? Woulld it be okay to just flush them out, if it's not advisable to submerge them? Any better way to clean them thoroughly?

The danger of submerging electric motors in rubbing alcohol would only be the possibility of dissolving the insulating paint that is used in the windings. If it is laquer, the alcohol won't hurt it, but if it is either water based or alcohol based, the alcohol may dissolve the paint and create a short circuit in the motor windings. I think what I would do to be safe would be to remove the motor from the model and the spray it with a product like "Dust Off" computer cleaner. On a can motor, you should not need to clean it since it is sealed. On an open frame motor like the old Athearn blue box locomotives, don't forget to put a drop of plastic compatible oil in the bearings after cleaning.

[sgtcarl1]

Thanks, Russ!! What you say is very logical. I'm not sure a blast of air would get all of the gunk that I'm encountering. I mean, years of dust and countless oilings of way too much oil, with none of the dust being removed prior to oiling. I suppose that's why so much oil was used.
(I got these on e-bay.)

[shaygetz]

I've always scrubbed my motors with rubbing alcohol, been that way for many years. It may be that, because I tinker with older trains with varnished motors, it hasn't affected them. I also dust my trains with a good quality make-up brush for applying blusher. Other than those things, I'm pretty conventional.

[Russ Bellinis]

Thanks, Russ!! What you say is very logical. I'm not sure a blast of air would get all of the gunk that I'm encountering. I mean, years of dust and countless oilings of way too much oil, with none of the dust being removed prior to oiling. I suppose that's why so much oil was used.
(I got these on e-bay.)

The product I picked up from either Frys or Costco is called Falcon Dust Off Professional. It is actually some sort of chemical cleaner for computers. The product is listed as flamable, so if you use it or something similar wait for it to evaporate before running the motor, but since it is designed for cleaning electronics and computers, you should not need to worry about it damaging either plastic or removing the lacquer from the windings. It contains diflouroethane which is a partial refrigerant. I think the degreasers used to contain either refrigerant 11 or r-12, but both have been outlawed as flouro-carbons, I suspect the diflouroetnane is legal because it contains no chlorine. It should be a degreaser as well as cleaner.

[sgtcarl1]

Great advice, guys!! Thanks!!

[nkp_174]

Late in high school, I noticed that my Rivarossi berk was missing the white stripe midway down the running board. It had it when it was new. Where'd it go??? The oil on my fingers slowly dissolved it. I painted a new stripe back on it, and now I only pick up my locomotives by their cylinders or trailing trucks...or the rods if they are sturdy enough. Similarly, I prefer to pick up cars by the trucks. Since becoming aware of the problem, I've noticed that a number of my older locomotives and cars are missing lettering where I used to pick them up. Further, I NEVER touch any models without washing my hands first.

On a similar note, guitars can suffer the same fate. Never let anyone touch a nice guitar without washing their hands and wearing a shirt, preferably long sleeved and no zippers!

By never getting much oil on the trains, they don't collect dust as badly (having kept them in boxes, a china cabinet, or in a room with a drop ceiling also helps!).