wallix posted:I just dug out the 4 old passenger trains. They are in OK condition, but they are a little dull and sticky. What's the best way to clean them? They've been in a basement for many many years.
I would disassemble them, so you can give the aluminum body a vigorous scrubbing without hurting anything else. Olsen's has posted pages from the service manuals here: http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=593
Basically, you are removing four screws, and pulling the plastic end caps straight out (be careful how you grasp the ends so you are not pulling on anything thin or fragile). Then the sheet metal underframe with the trucks and everything attached slides out of the aluminum body, as does the window plastic.
Soap and water and a toothbrush for the aluminum. If your cars have the colored stripe, I would not immerse them, but it sounds like they have the metal name plate, so no problem there. In any case, don't scrub the lettering! If you want a high shine, you can use mag wheel polish, but these did not have a high shine when new. If you want original condition, just clean it. Use a mild soap solution and a soft rag or brush with a more gentle touch for the silver-painted ends. The silver paint is fairly fragile.
You can search on this forum for cleaning aluminum passenger cars for more information and opinions.
