Wheel cleaners

[mojo]

Does anyone use the Minitrix wheel cleaner which when placed on powered track rotates loco wheels?
What do you use to clean the brass wire bristles?

Maurice C.

[David Asquith]

I use an old tooth brush dipped in IPA and then let it dry thoroughly.

Dave

[keithfre]

I'd go for something less abrasive like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TT4560-Woodland-Scenics-Tidy-Track-Roto-Wheel-Cleaner-N-Scale-TMC-/251334891701?hash=item3a84ba18b5:g:yHgAAOxyVPJSKufv

[bluedepot]

i got a gaugemaster one but you can get the same things from various makers, i think a japanese company make one, and bachmann


tim

[Newportnobby]

Does anyone use the Minitrix wheel cleaner which when placed on powered track rotates loco wheels?
What do you use to clean the brass wire bristles?

Maurice C.

I have had that exact item for donkeys years, Maurice, and have never cleaned the wire brushes.
Although it does the trick cleaning wise I tend to avoid using it as (a) it can make an awful mess of traction tyres if they're fitted to a loco and (b) the central plastic segregating strip could potentially mash any exposed gears on locos. By far the best method I've found can be seen here..........
http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=913.0

[Hyperion]

I'd go for something less abrasive like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TT4560-Woodland-Scenics-Tidy-Track-Roto-Wheel-Cleaner-N-Scale-TMC-/251334891701?hash=item3a84ba18b5:g:yHgAAOxyVPJSKufv

I purchased one of those units but have never been able to get it to work very well.

[Bealman]

Yeah, like NPN, I've had one of those Minitrix things for yonks and have never cleaned the bristles, but once again like NPN, I haven't used it for a long while for much the same reasons as he states.

[BobB]

I have the minitrix unit. I've not had to clean the bristles yet but when I do I'll just push them through and soak them in detergent. As for not working well, the trick seems to be to push the bristles down from the top and the firmly place on the track by holding the body down. This makes sure the brass rubbing strips are making contact with the rails.

[Bealman]

I think Maurice is concerned that the dirty bristles are going to negate their cleaning properties, something I've never thought about. Possible, I suppose.

In that case, I think that Dave's idea of IPA should work. Might give it a try myself. Actually, when I think about it, a combination of the bristles and IPA could be an improvement!

[mojo]

Thanks for the replies.
I had no idea that the brass sections could be so easily removed so will try the detergent method soon.
Maurice C.

[Crepello]

I've found the Woodland Scenics one to be excellent. No need for any solvents (IPA ruins paintwork!) Does coaches and wagons too.

[Caz]

If you buy two of the Peco wheel cleaners you can glue them back to back and do exactly the same as the Minitrix setup.  I know it bains you guys (reading the manual    ), but the included Peco instruction leaflet explains how to do it.