2350 Esthetic Maintenance

I'm finding that each PW piece requires a certain amount of experimentation to hit upon the right cleaning method without damaging the original finish.  Whereas a weak solution of dish soap and water works safely on most, some finishes tend to be porous and trap stubborn dirt.  Unfortunately those paints are more susceptible to degrading under heavier cleansers.  Then again, some finishes, especially those found on cast parts can be practically bullet proof.  Plastic shells sometime release a rubbery mold, a common symptom as plastic gasses off, that seems to penetrate the paint, leaving the finish slightly tacky to the touch.  In this case, most liquid cleaners have no cleaning affect and often dull the finish.  I find the only way to enhance their looks is to scrub lightly with a custom made short bristled paint brush.  As opposed, certain PW items can take caustic cleaners (Whestley tire cleaner or Spray Nine ) full strength without any ill effects to color or shine.  Best to experiment, working your way up form least to most caustic.

Bruce

Zach, you should be able to clean the body with Dawn and a soft toothbrush.

As for the nose stickers - I just replaced four.  Get the stickers offered by East Coast Train Parts.  They are $13.50 a pair.  Excellent reproductions.  Pop out the headlight lens.  Peal off the old stickers and clean with Goo Gone or something similar.  Trim the new stickers, separate from the backing, line up, and apply.  Minor adjustments can be made before you really smooth them down.  Use an Exakto knife or something similar to cut out the hole for the lens.  It's not difficult and the lens lip can hide any slipups.

quote:

Plastic shells sometime release a rubbery mold, a common symptom as plastic gasses off, that seems to penetrate the paint, leaving the finish slightly tacky to the touch.  In this case, most liquid cleaners have no cleaning affect and often dull the finish.

If you are referring to the white-grey stuff that looks like mold or mildew, and appears on plastic parts, it is mold release compound. It will melt away upon (careful) application of heat from a hair dryer.

It is often seen on the black plastic truck side frames of Scout cars, and on early diesel shells. Right now I have a pair of silver / grey 2023 UP ALCOs sitting on a shelf, waiting for me to take the stuff off.

I have not run into a 2350 or any other EP-5 shell with the issue. Those 2023 style shells, and F3's come to mind as having the issue.