How to clean old solenoid signals and turnouts (points)

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How to clean old solenoid signals and turnouts (points)

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Aussie Susan		#1 Posted : 19 June 2025 07:44:46(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 31/10/2023(UTC) Posts: 28 Location: Victoria, Melbourne		In trying to resurrect my old analog train set (and ultimately convert the thing to digital) I have found that the 50+ years of inactivity has not treated the solenoids in my signals and points well. Therefore I'm wanting to find the correct/best way to ease up the operations of the solenoids - they try to move a bit but stick, using my finger to assist the movement helps and they complete their operation. If it matters (i.e. if the solenoids used in various components differ) then the parts are: - signals - 7188 - points - 5202 Suggestions please? (Again if it matters I'm in Australia so local or generic product recommendations prefered.) Susan

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Br502362		#2 Posted : 19 June 2025 08:15:08(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 05/03/2014(UTC) Posts: 705 Location: Finland		Hi Susan, I have used electronic cleaner spray from various brands. CRC is surely available at auto spareparts shops. Cheers Åke

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ocram63_uk		#3 Posted : 19 June 2025 09:16:22(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 07/01/2015(UTC) Posts: 733 Location: England, Suffolk		spray and test, until satysfied

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JohnjeanB		#4 Posted : 19 June 2025 10:32:39(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,574 Location: Paris, France		Hi Susan The old Märklin solenoid accessories do not need ANY oil except a tiny drop in the rods and levers on semaphores. The inside of the sonénoid is made of a metallic guide (nickelled "U"-shaped guide) in which a nylon core slides. So any oil residue may bring friction rather than any good. Usually, when there are operation issues on these, they are cause by previous overheating of the solenoid which causes the inside guide (the U-shaped one and the last top of the U to become narrower and bring friction. Alas for these there is little you can do. Avoid overheating Jean
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RudiC		#5 Posted : 19 June 2025 11:23:31(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 28/01/2024(UTC) Posts: 61 Location: Nordrhein-Westfalen, Aachen		Polishing the before mentioned metal guide and thus removing oil residue and dirt / dust can help. I found that carefully filing the inside of the coils' plastic housing with a small flat gold smith / clock makers file may help reducing friction caused by melting due to overheating. Though excessive overheating may have distorted the housing beyond repair.
		Regards, Rüdiger (Rudi)

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marklinist5999		#6 Posted : 19 June 2025 13:58:33(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,951 Location: Michigan, Troy		When cleaning electrical/electronic contacts and parts with plastic, use the plastic safe Deoxit spray-lube. Available from Amazon, etc.


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Martti Mäntylä		#7 Posted : 19 June 2025 14:16:37(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 15/11/2018(UTC) Posts: 434 Location: Uusimaa, Helsinki		Martin has a good tutorial on the topic, see below:
		- Martti M. Era III analog & digital (Rocrail, CAN Digital Bahn, Gleisbox/MS2, K83/K84), C & M tracks, some Spur 1
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