|
|
Post by edwin87 on Sept 29, 2015 21:27:47 GMT -5
I'm in the process of getting my U36C Atlas trucks cleaned up. They have a film of oil all over the wheel contacts. There is what looks like grease inside along with the same oily residue. I'm guessing the oil is from where the grease has broken down over time. The grease that is present is very soft still.
What at should I use to reassemble? I don't want the oil to mess up the weathered finish after I get it done but I also want the loco to run well and not have any issues with performance and wear.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
|
Post by analogbeatmaker on Sept 29, 2015 23:09:37 GMT -5
If it were me, I'd completely disassemble the trucks and thoroughly clean with warm, soapy water. Then I'd use the correct lubes in the appropriate places and reassemble.
|
|
|
|
Post by Randy Earle on Sept 30, 2015 0:47:02 GMT -5
I agree with Nick. Don't forget to gauge the wheels with an NMRA gauge and use petrolium jelly only on the gears. I apply Wahl Hair Clipper oil to several spots on my tracks to keep the wheels clean and keep good contact.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mark R. on Sept 30, 2015 23:12:42 GMT -5
I had a number of those older Atlas six axle U-boats that never really did run all that well. What you have discovered turned out to be my problem. All that lubrication that was leaching out was creating an insulation for electrical contact. After a complete teardown and cleaning, they run great.
Mark.
|
|
|
|
Post by edwin87 on Oct 4, 2015 22:28:09 GMT -5
Is there a good write-up on how to lubricate the gears somewhere? I can add it but it would be good to know what product and how much to apply to the different parts.
Should there be any oil on the side frame contacts?
|
|
|
|
Post by PVRR 2647 on Oct 5, 2015 18:42:21 GMT -5
Edwin~
I recall seeing a youtube video years ago by flymanjg. He went on to disassemble some genesis trucks and cleaned them with regular old Dawn dish soap, and a tooth brush. He then made his own grease with labelle's 107 and graphite powder and spread it sparingly into the truck gears. The results are amazing, I have done this more times than I can recall, and can attest to the results. I have made one slight change to the formula over the years: I use Wahl clipper oil instead of the labelle oil, it doesn't attack plastic and conducts electricity too, so there is no chance of any leaking oil fouling electrical pickup. To answer your other question about the frame contacts, keep them clean and don't add any oil to them.
Sincerely,
PVRR2647
|
|
|
|
Post by tjmfishing on Oct 5, 2015 19:02:07 GMT -5
I agree with Randy on that Wahl clipper oil. It definitely yields better electrical contact.
|
|
|
|
Post by T on Oct 5, 2015 19:12:29 GMT -5
I remember using a product called " Grease'm" , is this product still around?
Tom
|
|
|
|
Post by CP_8530 on Oct 8, 2015 21:24:09 GMT -5
I would strongly suggest not using petrolium jelly, vasoline, or any other oil/petrolium based lubes on plastic models unless it's specifically listed as plastic safe or recommended for use on plastic models. It can soften or break down plastic over time.
When I had used to use vasoline on a few old Athearn BB models years ago, it leeched its way into the plastic and made it very soft and brittle (resulting in more than a few freight car bolsters being stripped easily, cracking or being destroyed). You want a plastic compatible lube such as Woodland Scenics Hob-E-Lube or one of Labelle's model lubes.
|
|
