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If I remember correctly, one of those "aerosol" canned air products you can buy to blow the dust out of computer keyboards work well. I haven't had my trains on longterm display in awhile, so I haven't needed it recently, but it worked well when I did.
Compressed air will work great, canned or air compressor, but don't use a spray cleaner like an electronics or TV cleaner as it may eat your paint off of your trains depending on the chemicals in it.
Another way to clean dust off is to run water over your train cars in a sink or tub and then use a hair dryer on cool to dry them. You may have to lube the wheels if not careful to avoid getting water on them.
I take the shells off my post war stuff and run them in a sink full of water with a drop of dish detergent in the water and them let them air dry near the sink.
Lee Fritz
I use a light weight canister vacuum with an upholstery brush and a long tube
A feather duster or swiffer is great for the fine details on engines and rolling stock.
Takes time though.
Rod
Compressed air will work great, canned or air compressor, but don't use a spray cleaner like an electronics or TV cleaner as it may eat your paint off of your trains depending on the chemicals in it.
Another way to clean dust off is to run water over your train cars in a sink or tub and then use a hair dryer on cool to dry them. You may have to lube the wheels if not careful to avoid getting water on them.
I take the shells off my post war stuff and run them in a sink full of water with a drop of dish detergent in the water and them let them air dry near the sink.
Lee Fritz
Compressed air will work great, canned or air compressor, but don't use a spray cleaner like an electronics or TV cleaner as it may eat your paint off of your trains depending on the chemicals in it.
Another way to clean dust off is to run water over your train cars in a sink or tub and then use a hair dryer on cool to dry them. You may have to lube the wheels if not careful to avoid getting water on them.
I take the shells off my post war stuff and run them in a sink full of water with a drop of dish detergent in the water and them let them air dry near the sink.
Lee Fritz
I did not mention cleaning lighted cars! You would have to be more careful with lighted cars.
Lee Fritz
Compressed air will work great, canned or air compressor, but don't use a spray cleaner like an electronics or TV cleaner as it may eat your paint off of your trains depending on the chemicals in it.
Another way to clean dust off is to run water over your train cars in a sink or tub and then use a hair dryer on cool to dry them. You may have to lube the wheels if not careful to avoid getting water on them.
I take the shells off my post war stuff and run them in a sink full of water with a drop of dish detergent in the water and them let them air dry near the sink.
Lee Fritz
I did not mention cleaning lighted cars! You would have to be more careful with lighted cars.
Lee Fritz
Denatured alcohol can attack some kinds of paint. Use extreme caution - or better yet, use something else.
A feather duster or swiffer is great for the fine details on engines and rolling stock.
Takes time though.
Rod
Calabrese94,
Rod's idea works great. Also, a lady's makeup brush does a wonderful job on the fine details. Stay as far away from denatured alcohol as possible. It is a solvent! It's an over-kill even to clean track. It should be kept far, far away from the home. Isopropyl alcohol should not be used either.
You said that your cars need "cleaned". If they're dirty, grimmy use a mild cleaner such as, "Mother's Detail Wax/Cleaner". I use it on all of my trains. One product I really like is, AJ's Train Cleaner. You'll need to google for information.
Denatured alcohol can attack some kinds of paint. Use extreme caution - or better yet, use something else.
A feather duster or swiffer is great for the fine details on engines and rolling stock.
Takes time though.
Rod
Calabrese94,
Rod's idea works great. Also, a lady's makeup brush does a wonderful job on the fine details. Stay as far away from denatured alcohol as possible. It is a solvent! It's an over-kill even to clean track. It should be kept far, far away from the home. Isopropyl alcohol should not be used either.
You said that your cars need "cleaned". If they're dirty, grimmy use a mild cleaner such as, "Mother's Detail Wax/Cleaner". I use it on all of my trains. One product I really like is, AJ's Train Cleaner. You'll need to google for information.
A 1/48 scale power washer.
Distilled water and Q-tips works well.
If you have lighted cars:
1. Check wiring.
2. Change out light bulbs to LED's. Less heat, more light. They do make "plug and play" for BA9's.
I've used compressed air, a feather duster and a cotton swab to reach all of the nooks and crannies.
I use zero solvents or cleaners to clean any of my locomotives, rolling stock and track, just a clean rag for the latter.
I know that Isopropyl Alcohol or Denatured Alcohol will attack the paint on many products, it's death on Lionel painted rolling stock! Believe it or not, if you feel the need for solvent, Lighter Fluid (Naptha) is better, though it will damage some paints as well.
I use either a camel's hair brush, compressed air, or in extreme cases, I wash the shell with water and dish-washing liquid.
I use a soft brush and a shop vac. Ladies makeup brushes work well. You keep the vac nozzle close and sweep up the dust.
.....
Dennis
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