Lux-Modellbau 9315.7 Wheel Cleaner

[KiwiAlan]

Hi

I'm interested in keeping my rolling stock wheels clean and to that end I was considering purchasing the Lux-Modellbau 9315.7 Wheel Cleaner. https://www.lux-modellbau.de/cms/front_content.php?idcat=181

Does anyone have any experience with this unit? How good is the unit? Is there an alternative that I should consider?

I was thinking of getting the table top device and effectively just running the rolling stock through the unit regularly to get the wheels cleaned. I run DCC trains.

Thanks

[Bealman]

I can't speak for that one, but I've had this Minitrix product for years.



To be honest, they are a stop gap thing which might spruce up wheels during an exhibition, say, but are generally ineffective. The brushes wear down and end up getting dirty themselves.

The only real solution is cleaning them by hand, or run the locomotive often... daily.

[chrism]

I can't speak for that one, but I've had this Minitrix product for years.



To be honest, they are a stop gap thing which might spruce up wheels during an exhibition, say, but are generally ineffective. The brushes wear down and end up getting dirty themselves.

Also, not advisable for wheels with traction tyres.

[Bealman]

Quite correct. So the unit in question is some sort of ultrasound thing?

[chrism]

Quite correct. So the unit in question is some sort of ultrasound thing?

The Firefox translation implies that it has oscillating polyester rods, which appear from the photo to be abrasive.

Whether it's any good or not (either the function or how it is for the wheels) at 165 euros for the cheapest, I'll give it a miss.

[Newportnobby]

I also have the Trix brush but it's only good for locos. The OP mentioned rolling stock.
As has been said, the brush will tear traction tyres away and if the loco is pushed down too hard, exposed gears can grind on the central plastic strip of the brush. For a light burnishing it's OK.
Here's a quick and easy way to clean rolling stock wheels but it uses IPA which should NOT be allowed near traction tyres....

Wet a sheet of kitchen tissue with IPA, lay it across a spare old length of track and push/pull a carriage/wagon along the track. Check out those black lines!!!!  

[Jim Easterbrook]

Wet a sheet of kitchen tissue with IPA, lay it across a length of track

Don't let it touch the sleepers of Kato Unitrack. It'll remove the paint.

[chrism]

Wet a sheet of kitchen tissue with IPA, lay it across a length of track

Don't let it touch the sleepers of Kato Unitrack. It'll remove the paint.

IIRC, Mick already knows about the effects of IPA on paintwork.

[Newportnobby]

One tiny drop of IPA off a pipe cleaner and..............................  

[ntpntpntp]

I've used the Minitrix powered brush (or the Gaugemaster, Conrad, TGW re-brands)  for decades. I've never had had a problem with it destroying traction tyres,  the trick is not to press down hard, just set about half power and gently rub the loco back and forth as the wheels turn.  It cleans the tyres too  

I'm not really a fan of "lazy" devices such as the Lux product.  I believe you should lift and inspect and clean your locos and rolling stock wheels from time to time.  I use a rotating brass brush in a minidrill to clean rolling stock wheels, again no pressure just gently apply to the wheels at low speed.