Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

When it's R/C related, but doesn't fit anyplace else.

Moderators: scr8p, klavy69

Post Reply
Kaare-65
Regular Member
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2018 9:10 pm

Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by Kaare-65 »

Wondering what is the best (and safest) way to clean vintage R/C gearbox and Diffs.

I have done a lot of searching and see that a lot of people use Naptha, I am just wondering if it is safe to use on a vintage gearbox, diffs, and "gears"?

If it helps......Of course I am talking about an RC10 as well as Kyosho Optima and Optima mid parts

User avatar
Lonestar
Approved Member
Posts: 4270
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:17 am
Location: Switzerland, yannow, in Europe (or almost)
Has thanked: 620 times
Been thanked: 165 times

Re: Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by Lonestar »

Not sure if the best way... but I use warm water, dish soap and an old toothbrush first.

Then kitchen towel and motor spray (which is a trychlo-base, so try to use gloves as much as possible) for greasy residues :)
AE RC10 - Made In The Eighties, Loved By The Ladies.
Blue Was Better - now, Blue Is Bankrupt.
Facebook affiliate program manager: "They go out and find the morons for me".
Life is short. Waste it wisely.

User avatar
jwscab
Super Member
Posts: 6479
Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:42 am
Location: Chalfont, PA
Has thanked: 10 times
Been thanked: 434 times

Re: Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by jwscab »

Naptha is pretty bad, I wouldn't use it at all. Maybe for nitro.

Use simple green full strength or diluted, on any plastic or steel parts. Aluminum parts can sometimes shadow stain so use caution there. I drop the parts in and let soak 24 hrs or however long you forget. Follow up with a scrubbing with a tooth brush and that will clean them.up nicely. Alternatively and as a second bath, regular dish soap and warm water works awesome(again with the tooth brush)

mikea96
Approved Member
Posts: 3238
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:34 pm
Location: Puyallup, WA
Has thanked: 146 times
Been thanked: 526 times

Re: Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by mikea96 »

I second the simple green soak then warm water and dish soap.

Kaare-65
Regular Member
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2018 9:10 pm

Re: Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by Kaare-65 »

Which type of Simple Green? They now have the original recipe, along with industrial cleaner & degreaser, clean building, heavy duty, crystal, and I think one or two more.

I am guessing the original, All Purpose, Stuff.


Thanks for the info. Simple question, but I'm glad I asked before taking others advice.

mikea96
Approved Member
Posts: 3238
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2009 4:34 pm
Location: Puyallup, WA
Has thanked: 146 times
Been thanked: 526 times

Re: Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by mikea96 »

I use the original myself.

User avatar
TRX-1-3
Approved Member
Posts: 1671
Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2014 12:13 pm
Location: USAG Humphreys, South Korea
Has thanked: 1256 times
Been thanked: 708 times

Re: Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by TRX-1-3 »

QD electronics cleaner and also Mass Air Flow Sensor cleaner (spray cans) will degrease quickly without harming plastics (greasy diff components).
Hope you're doin' something fun.

User avatar
jwscab
Super Member
Posts: 6479
Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:42 am
Location: Chalfont, PA
Has thanked: 10 times
Been thanked: 434 times

Re: Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by jwscab »

Yeah the original green stuff is what is use.

User avatar
Coelacanth
Approved Member
Posts: 7349
Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:20 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 270 times

Re: Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by Coelacanth »

WD-40 and a toothbrush, then a rinse in hot water and Dawn dish soap.
Completed projects: CYANide Onroad Optima | Zebra Gold Optima | Barney Optima | OptiMutt RWD Mid
Gallery - Coel's Stalls: Marui Galaxy & Shogun Resto-Mods | FrankenBuff AYK Buffalo | 1987 Buick GNX RC12L3

Kaare-65
Regular Member
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2018 9:10 pm

Re: Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by Kaare-65 »

Thanks for all the answers. I have been using dawn, just picked up some simple green, but still need to get WD-40.....that stuff was always a sin to have around when I grew up.

Also have a bunch of bottles of Hydrogen Peroxide for the RC10's white part.

User avatar
LTO_Dave
Approved Member
Posts: 1724
Joined: Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:33 am
Location: Rossiter, PA
Has thanked: 45 times
Been thanked: 222 times

Re: Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by LTO_Dave »

Spray Nine cleaner works really well for grease on plastics. I just used some and a toothbrush on a set of Yokomo diff pulleys.

Dawn Power Dissolver was the most amazing cleaner I've ever used but it's been long discontinued.

User avatar
RC10th
Approved Member
Posts: 4209
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:51 am
Location: Australia
Has thanked: 36 times
Been thanked: 934 times

Re: Cleaning vintage R/C gearbox and diffs?

Post by RC10th »

Simple green is good as it conditions both rubber and plastic, it doesn't contain any harsh solvents to dry out plastic or rubber.
I was old school - when old school wasn't cool !

Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post
  • Wanted old Schumacer diffs gearbox.
    by CON2 » » in Schumacher Forum
    5 Replies
    1031 Views
    Last post by CON2
  • Vintage Scorpion diffs
    by HatTrick » » in Kyosho Forum
    20 Replies
    3737 Views
    Last post by ron
  • Vintage Ads: RC10 Diffs/Trannys
    by Eau Rouge » » in Vintage Magazine Articles / Ad Scans
    1 Replies
    1539 Views
    Last post by Eau Rouge
  • Help! Need advice on cleaning up some vintage parts!
    by Wyattriot77 » » in Temple's RC10 Tech Forum
    19 Replies
    2451 Views
    Last post by Mikeyboy
  • Vintage A&L RC10 gearbox dust cover?
    by Dave145 » » in Temple's RC10 Tech Forum
    3 Replies
    861 Views
    Last post by mikedealer
  • YR4 diffs ?
    by Justjoe » » in Yokomo Forum
    4 Replies
    896 Views
    Last post by Justjoe
  • Old diffs rebuild
    by slazzaro » » in Yokomo Forum
    1 Replies
    466 Views
    Last post by uzzi
  • Any one Tried modern diffs in the yz10 ???
    by isobarik » » in Yokomo Forum
    0 Replies
    770 Views
    Last post by isobarik

Return to “R/C Off-Topic / Chit-Chat”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No User AvatarBing [Bot], No User AvatarElkcycles and 0 guests