Lionel 18045 Commodore from a flood

I see a blown power cap, I'm guessing common with theses lol

I would pull the boards and clean with hot water and dish soap. Blow dry and let dry for a few  hours. Pull the chips with a proper tool and spray with contact cleaner.

Give is a try, nothing to lose.

Pete

My daughter sent me links to this sale on both Craigslist and EBAY a week or two ago. I passed but would love to see you get it going.

I guess the first thing I would do is soak all moving parts (including the motor) in WD40, and clean all of the electronics with tuner cleaner. Remove and clean the chips as noted above.

Then, if all mechanicals are free moving, wipe off the WD40, reassemble, say a prayer, and try it out.

Please keep us updated with your progress - good luck.

You guys take that weathering stuff to an extreme.

Scott Smith

Just a note on flood damage. The dirt is water soluble. Using solvents or petroleum based products will be less or non effective than soap and water.

Pete

Not too worried about the loco and tender, Got the tender completely apart and yes the trucks will clean up pretty good, the frame will too.  Just a little pitting on the top radius of the tender shell, sides seem to be decent, so likely will not look too fugly.  When I showed interest, they guy jumped straight to I'll ship it  too for $100 total, so I said what the heck.  Kinda thinking I will respray it in the Dark  prewar Gunmetal Gray.  I also have an un-flooded Grey 785 I would like to respray real GM as well lol.

@Norton posted:

Just a note on flood damage. The dirt is water soluble. Using solvents or petroleum based products will be less or non effective than soap and water.

Pete

Very true.

But WD40 will work on the corrosion.

Wash first then WD 40 soak, IMHO

I agree. Wash it then use something for the metal corrosion.

Pete

Dennis, I know this is your cup of tea, the more degraded the better,…🤣🤣🤣…have you every used Caswel Chemicals black oxide solution?….stuff is amazing,….you could lightly wire brush those trucks, clean them for water break, and give them a dunk in the oxide …..look like new when done,….

Pat

Not yet, but been tempted a few times.  I have used the Eastwood Chemical blackening kit for steel parts and that works really well.

@Dennis Holler posted:

Not yet, but been tempted a few times.  I have used the Eastwood Chemical blackening kit for steel parts and that works really well.

Pretty much the same stuff,…

Pat

How goes this project Dennis?

John, I have been out of town for work since early July so not much lately. I did use some Ospho on it and thatwas good to soften the white crusty oxidation then wire brushed it off. I will beordering some paint shortly as well.