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 Posted - May 14 2016 : 12:00:33 AM
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What's the best way to clean trains? I've bought some advertised as 'new' on ebay and when I opened and took a few out, some were obviously used. I have one in particular that has a layer of dust on the roof so thick that you cant see the true color. What's the best way to make it look new again? I tried doing a search but all I get are how to clean track and wheel how-to' s. I did find a video where a guy cleans his trains including engines with Lysol cleaner and under running water after a house fire. But dont think thats right after reading some of the comments. I dont want to risk removing paint or graffics. Thanks for any help.
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Country:  USA ~
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 Posted - May 14 2016 : 12:22:12 AM
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| I like to use some mild soap and water. I use Q-Tips to wipe areas like the roof indentations and in sturrips, etc... I'm afraid to try any cleaners as I actually damaged a Bubble Yum box car with just water once. And I don't live in Flint, Michigan...
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Country: USA ~
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Posted - May 14 2016 : 10:43:18 AM
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I use warm water flowing from the tap and a soft bristle toothbrush and Dawn dishwashing detergent. For something delicate, and for cleaning around ladders, railings and fragile details a use a soft paintbrush.
In all cases use a gentle hand and watch that you aren't removing something you don't want to.
I've never had any problems with the above method though.
http://tycodepot.com/
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Posted - May 14 2016 : 5:31:57 PM
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For just dust removal, the boss likes a soft bristle paint brush, 1 to 2 inches wide, He cleans most engines with those when they come into the shop to be worked on. Water will turn the dust to mud. I'd dry-brush it off first, then if you have a source of compressed air, use that to blow off the rest. Gentle is the word. Soap and water are fine if the items are modern and you don't have to worry about decals flaking off, etc. But vintage stuff, I'd dry brush it and see how it looks after that.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - July 14 2016 : 5:13:26 PM
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I use warm water with a little bit of Dawn and a Child's toothbrush for the older and more delicate
stuff. The child's toothbrush is soft like a Q-tip and is wider to allow a wider area of coverage
without the hard scratching of a regular toothbrush. The warning about the decals is VERY accurate! They WILL come off with just water sometimes.
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Posted - July 14 2016 : 6:59:34 PM
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last time I used plain water on a Tyco caboose
the clear coat came off! 
will look for that exact caboose this weekend 
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