Cleaning the Metalwork

GALT LOCOMOTIVES
The Home of the Little Purple Engine

Cleaning the Metalwork

Before any metalwork can be primed, it is important to clean the metalwork and remove all dirt and grease, otherwise any effort and time spent painting would be wasted. When my Trojan was delivered it had been coated in a light covering of oil, which was used to preserve it. Unfortunately, where the metalwork had been welded the oil had been burnt off and even after a couple of days, some minor surface rust was found, but this easily wiped off.

Warning

Only use cellulose thinners in a well-ventilated area. Unfortunately, outdoors is ideal, however, you will then find all the dust and insects in the air land on your freshly cleaned metalwork. I found using the thinners in my shed with the door and windows open, to allow a gentle flow of air was the best compromise. No doubt, everybody will have their own preferred method, but read the instructions on the thinners tin first.

To remove the oil and any dirt I used cellulose thinners and lint free cloth. Cleaning off the oil and dirt can be a long process.

Despite lint free cloth not allegedly leaving fluff and dust on the newly cleaned surface, it does, but probably not as much that would have been left if I had not used the lint free stuff. Consequently, on the bodywork and chassis, I used a tack cloth, which a colleague suggested to me. This cloth, which as its name suggests is tacky, did remove must of the unwanted dust and fluff.

With thinners on the cloth, wipe over one item of metalwork and give it a thorough clean.
The cloth will probably be black with dirt after the first clean.
Throw this piece of cloth away and take another piece.
Repeat the cleaning process, each time using a clean piece of cloth, until no further dirt comes off the item of metalwork being cleaned.
Select the next item of metalwork and start the cleaning process again until everything is cleaned.

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Page last updated on :

29/01/2006