my ultrasonic cleaner. My formula for the degreasing solution is
half isopropyl alcohol and half water. To this mixture I add about
10% (an ounce to a cup full) Simple Green degreaser. I fill the
ultrasonic cleaner bowl with water and put the parts in a stain-
less steel cup with the degreasing solution. I float the cup in the
ultrasonic cleaner and run one 3-minute cycle. I examine the
parts. If they still have grease and dirt hanging on, I send them
through again. When they seem pretty clean by inspection, I fin-
ish them off, using my fingernail and a paper towel, as well as a
stiff acid brush to clean them. When they seem clean to the eye,
I rinse them and allow them to dry – overnight, if possible.
6.3 Reassemble the drive train
Once the parts are clean and dry, I reassemble the drive train. I
put a drop of 10-weight Nano-Oil on every sliding surface: the
bearings, the worm gear and the motor bearings. I assemble
18
18: Cleaning drive train parts in ultrasonic cleaner.
6.1 Clean trucks
If this loco has been used, there will probably be an accumula-
tion of dirt and debris on the wheels. I use a brass brush in my
rotary tool to clean the wheels of the trucks before reassembly,
as shown in figure 17. I use my finger to limit the rotation of
the wheel assembly, while the motor tool is trying to acceler-
ate the wheels. The difference in speed between the brush and
wheel allows the brass brush to remove or loosen debris on
the wheels and polish them. Then, I use a Q-tip soaked in dena-
tured alcohol to remove the remainder or send them through
the ultrasonic cleaning explained in section 6.2.
If this loco is brand new, the wheels will be blackened overall.
This brass brush technique will allow you to remove the black-
ening and expose new metal, making the electrical connection
between the wheels and track more reliable.
6.2 Clean the drive train
I took the drive train parts and the truck assemblies and
immersed them in a degreasing solution and ran them through
17
17: Cleaning the
truck assemblies
with a motor tool
and brass brush
wheel.
DCC Impulses column - 11
MRH-Jan 2013
