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Hello everyone
I have a question, what is the best way to clean dust off trains my layout has been sitting there for a while and it needs a little more then regurlar maintence  any suggestions would greatly be apperciated i would like to say thank you in advance for all your knowledge
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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

Originally Posted by phillyreading:

       

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 run all lighted passenger cars i dont think the water is a good idea
Has anyone used denatured alcohol?
Originally Posted by Calabrese94:
Originally Posted by phillyreading:

       

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 run all lighted passenger cars i dont think the water is a good idea
Has anyone used denatured alcohol?

I did not mention cleaning lighted cars! You would have to be more careful with lighted cars.

 

Lee Fritz

Originally Posted by phillyreading:

       
Originally Posted by Calabrese94:
Originally Posted by phillyreading:

       

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 run all lighted passenger cars i dont think the water is a good idea
Has anyone used denatured alcohol?

I did not mention cleaning lighted cars! You would have to be more careful with lighted cars.

 

Lee Fritz


       

To be more specific i run all subways well use to its been their for a while and they got really dusty and grime on them and im trying to figure out the safest way to clean them
Originally Posted by Rod Stewart:

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.

Originally Posted by Happy Pappy:

       
Originally Posted by Rod Stewart:

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.


       

Thank you happy pappy as thats very good information
I will google those products u mentioned thanks a million

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.

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
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