I recently acquired a PW Evans Auto Loader that has a white coating on the truck sides and couplers. I think it is some sort of oxidation that wont wipe off. Is there a way to remove this?
Thanks
Mark

While lubing my Lionel cylindrical hoppers, I discovered a similar coating. I blew it off with those pressurized cans of air that are used for dusting electronics. My guess is that it's residue from dry parts rubbing together.

you can use a blow dryer and a damp cloth to wipe it off

You did not say if they were plastic or metal. Some will tell you on plastic trucks it is a mold release chemical or a type of plasticizer. I think it is a type of mold - possibly dead. I have removed it successfully from both plastic and metal trucks with a soaking in mineral spirits.

It's the mold release that Lionel used for a time. Scout trucks especially are prone to this. Gilbert had the same problem. Warm the truck sides with a hair dryer for a minute or two and the white will disappear.

That was an oversight on my part, these are die cast trucks. I tried oil on them to no effect.

A little WD-40 on a Q-Tip usually takes care of the problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark W:
That was an oversight on my part, these are die cast trucks. I tried oil on them to no effect.

Back up two messages - I wrote how to fix it metal or plastic.

Interesting...I have some MPC era diecast trucks that grew a white/yellow residue? Any clue what this is? Though it seems harmless.

Mike, I've never heard of the problem happening on MPC-era stuff, but I'd try the blowdryer trick on them. I know it won't hurt them.

Who knows, maybe it just takes 20-30 years for the mold release to discolor.

I see it a lot restoring post war tracks - I just thought it was tin oxide a white powder from the "rusting" of tin. Some gets on the trucks. I did lapidary for some years and it looked and smelled the same as the tin oxide I used in polishing.

I have had good luck getting off by putting a few drops of 3-in-1 oil on the side frame and working it in with a slow moving bristle brush on my dremel tool.

Will these recomendations work on removing a white film from the shell of postwar 2025 tender?

Terrance

quote:

White coating on poatwar truck sides

Uh-oh, It's the famous postwar misspell!

Thanks for the hints. The WD40 did the trick.
Mark

zinc oxide leaching out of trucks due to uncoated metal, unprotectd by paint,
esp if in area where a pressed in bolster may be. This stuff is worse
in higher humidity,like a basment layour or storage. WD 40 simply hides the
white and helps with a oilish coating.

L