Cleaning Loco Wheels

D

davecar

Registered
Hi all,

I am new to G scale and I have not experienced a winter before. I have 5 locos now and three of them are LGB which uses shoes to pick up. I have a Lil Critter and it is now starting to stutter along the line. I realise that it is essential to clean the track at this time of year, but I just wondered what is the best method to clean the wheels of locos.

~Am I OK to use some light sandpaper on the wheels or is it best to use some sort of cleaning fluid?

Any advice gratefully accepted.

Kind regards,

Dave
 
I use the LGB cleaning block - the wheels tend to slowly rotate as you use it.
I would be careful about using anything too abrasive - the chrome on most wheels is not very thick.
 
Remember to clean the backs of the wheels where the pick up collects the current. Try a little meths on some cotton wool. Or a metal polish. Don't use too much polish at one time.
 
dont use the sandpaper......use cotton buds ,with smoke fliud on them ,or the lgb tracck claening block,.. i save worn out cleaning wheels for th trac cleanennig loco.. and use them
 
Also, as Mike has warned in the past, don't use a fibreglass cleaning stick on the wheels. The bits can fall into the gearbox and bearings and wreck them.
 
I use isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and cotton buds. This is probably a little better or cleaner and certainly cheaper than my Railking diesel scented smoke fluid. Lifts the dirt a treat.

I made the mistake of using 600 grade wet & dry when I started out. I very quickly learnt that this was not a good thing to do - the chrome lasted about two or three cleanings.
 
funandtrains said:
I've got the Kadee G scale wheel cleaning brush which is work the investment of about £12. It has 2 brass wire bushes which have power leads connected which have croc clips on the ends so you just clip the leads onto either the track or transformer, turn the power on and hold it onto each pair of wheels in turn until all the gunge is off. Being brass it should be softer than the wheel metal and not harm the surface as abrasives will.
Click to expand...

Simple, clever idea.
 
funandtrains said:
I've got the Kadee G scale wheel cleaning brush which is worth the investment of about £12. It has 2 brass wire bushes which have power leads connected which have croc clips on the ends so you just clip the leads onto either the track or transformer, turn the power on and hold it onto each pair of wheels in turn until all the gunge is off. Being brass it should be softer than the wheel metal and not harm the surface as abrasives will.
Click to expand...


Peco make a similar thing. It's designed for the smaller scales, but works just as well on G. Currently available for around 8 to 9 quid.


Currently - get it? :rolf::rolf:
 
funandtrains said:
I've got the Kadee G scale wheel cleaning brush which is worth the investment of about £12. It has 2 brass wire bushes which have power leads connected which have croc clips on the ends so you just clip the leads onto either the track or transformer, turn the power on and hold it onto each pair of wheels in turn until all the gunge is off. Being brass it should be softer than the wheel metal and not harm the surface as abrasives will.
Click to expand...

I made my own from a suede brush for 'O' Gauge many years ago.
 
i use for light dirt meths
and a swab
next is a track eraser for stubborn bits

the best is fine metal polish from germany-again on a swab or pipe cleaner(fits nicely between wheel and frame


and for really bad-use a moto tool with a jewelrs rubber polishing bit

its really important to clean to avoid pitting
 
Many thanks for all these very helpful posts- very much appreciated and I have noted all the good suggestions.

I have some smoke fluid so I think I will try with this method first.

Thanks again.

Kind regards,

Hugh
 
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