Cleaning windows on locomotives

[Australian model rail road]

What is the best method to clean glazing in locomotive removing oil and dirt is it safe to use alco wipes or will this damage the plastic any thoughts would grateful  I have a near new Hymekwhich has been stored for years the motor is like new but needs a good clean

[The son of Triangman]

Alco wipes are a no no they can make the glazing go milky. A beeswax liquid polish is best for removing the grease oil and dirt. Use with a fine very soft cloth and a cotton bud.

 

Plain old water can used with a fine soft cloth and a cotton bud if it was just dirt.

 

Beware! Water, beeswax or any cleaner can damage the paint surface. Older models can have unstable paint surfaces or paint surfaces that will bleach or leach colour, any such work carried out must be done with upmost care. Yellows, reds, grey and blue are most prone to bleaching.

 

[The son of Triangman]

Your hymek will either have white window surrounds if BR green or if BR Blue white or yellow as a rule. Beware the yellow in particular when cleaning.

[Australian model rail road]

The colour is blue with yellow window frames it is in very good condition being stored for years the motor housing still has a sticker telling not to undo the nut on the bogie housing it is just dirty the paint is like new

[The son of Triangman]

That is old. Ex-Tri-ang moulding, made by Hornby after the Tri-ang collapse. Later modified for ringfield drive by Hornby.  Watch for the yellow paint when cleaning the windows. Some 1970's made units had a plastic yellow window insert, others had the windows moulded as part of the body.

[96RAF]

You can get a liquid glaze that is used to clarify plastic aircraft kit canopies. A drop or two of that carefully applied may be enough to bring your windows back.

 

Plenty of u-toob videos about using it, usually by full immersion, but I think a brush or dropper would work on locos.

 

Rob

[Australian model rail road]

That is old. Ex-Tri-ang moulding, made by Hornby after the Tri-ang collapse. Later modified for ringfield drive by Hornby.  Watch for the yellow paint when cleaning the windows. Some 1970's made units had a plastic yellow window insert, others had the windows moulded as part of the body.      The number is D7063 the yellow section is a wrap around looking from the inside of the body the bottom sectionof the front is yellow inside and blue on the inside all the buffers are intact it was stored in a foam insert but no box

 

[The son of Triangman]

Standard hymek model early to mid 1970's, loads about. 

 

I wouldn't recommend full imersion as the yellow and numbers will bleach.

[2e0dtoeric]

Australian model fell into the blue button trap!  😛

Please don't use that, as it repeats the previous post, and your own words can get lost.

Scroll down to the clear space, and use the GREEN button that says REPLY!

Thanks.