tarbyonline
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Help with TE1A and cleaning up!Hello everybody. Not 100% sure if this is the right place to post this so apologies if i got it wrong! I bought myself a TE1a about 14 years ago (I was 9!) back when i didn't really appreciate the beauty of the model (i was fascinated by the technical side tho). Unfortunately its been sitting in a white carrier bag for about 10 years after it caught fire due to someone trying to run it on firelighters!!!!! It got all sooted up and of course the soot and the oil mixed to make a right mess. Add 10 years of corrosion in a carrier bag (the whistle washers have even perished) and it wasn't a pretty sight. Im trying to clean up what i can but a lot of paint has flaked off at the back and the metal has started to rust (though i have got the worst of with brasso!). What would be the best way to protect it from rusting again (want to keep paint original if possible). To give you an idea of the heat damage caused I have had to replace the plastic in the sightglass as this had melted black and no amount of cleaning will make it transparent again (flames actually reached the canopy such was the intensity of the fire)! The worst part seems to be the wheels which have gone black in parts and are even white in some areas (perhaps from the bag). No amount of rubbing with brasso (and even a brillo pad!) seems to be bringing them up. Anybody got any tips! Also, there is no screw on the flywheel (which is slightly loose) but the appears to be a hole. On closer inspection it would seem that this is a really small alan screw - could this be correct (if it helps the model was bought about 1992). If so i need to get me some alan keys!
Thanks in advance
Steven
(PS will post pics when i get my camera charged!)
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Mamodman123
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If paint is burnt off or slightly burnt then it may come off with a bit of t-cut or car polish!
If you mean the actual outer edge of the wheels use some very fine wet and dry paper then polish with brasso!
The best way to prevent rust is to use rust remedy,depends how far the paint is gone....
I'm guessing those firelighters made one hell of a mess  
The flywheel should be a tight fit or have a brass slot headed screw!
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tarbyonline
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Its down to the bare metal in parts around the firebox opening! Looks like a new flywheel then but i cant get it off! Gonna try taking the wheels of, using the wet and dry then buffing them with the dremel and brasso. Forgot to mention, the bottom of the boiler is very heavily sooted up (which i would imagine will affect heating) - what the best way to get rid of this?Thanks
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tmuir
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Hard to say without seeing any pictures.
Some flywheels were just friction fit and can work loose and if they do a drop of loctite fixes them but other had a retaining screw.
If yours has a screw try doing it up as the engine wont run properly if it is loose.
If your engine is still covered in soot I've found engine degreaser will shift a lot of soot.
If it was involved in a big fire you might want to check the rubber seals on the safety valve hasn't melted.
You can remove the wheels to clean it better.
The hub caps just push onto the axle.
To take them off grip one in a vice or pair of pliers and grip the other with a pair of plyers and gently wiggle them off.
If you are unlucky you may break the hub cap but as they only cost a few cents (pennies) it doent really matter.
Look forward to the pictures.
Tony
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Mamodman123
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| tarbyonline wrote: | | Its down to the bare metal in parts around the firebox opening! Looks like a new flywheel then but i cant get it off! Gonna try taking the wheels of, using the wet and dry then buffing them with the dremel and brasso. Forgot to mention, the bottom of the boiler is very heavily sooted up (which i would imagine will affect heating) - what the best way to get rid of this?Thanks |
If its the soot that will come off, fill a sink full of soapy water and find yourself a toothbrush (not your own or someone you like ) and brush it away!
Any soot or burnt paint should t-cut off depending how badly its burnt! Don't scrub too hard with the t-cut or you'll be down to bare metal in seconds!
If its back to metal then I guess depending how bad the overall paint is...I guess repaint it if you want to protect the metal. They all stain chip and rust at the firebox opening, get some rust remedy on it and see how it goes!  The main thing to do after each run is dry it off and keep it stored in a warm dry place,making sure the boiler is completely empty 
You could epoxy the flywheel on with Alaraldite or Locktite, it'll hold and cheaper than buying a new flywheel!
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SPOKESMAN
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Tarby - get some pictures posted, its eeasier to assess what needs to be done then mate.
Welcome to the forum!
Mike
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MooseMan
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Steven,
I'll add my voice to the general call for pictures, but in the meantime you can set about restoring your metalwork by sanding it down with fine wet & dry paper....start with 600 grade and finish with 1000, that should get any deposits off your wheels but not scratch them.....with a bit of effort you can get them to a mirror shine. The white stuff is zinc that has leeched out of the alloy - a common problem with engines that are put away wet or dirty.
With the rust, get down to bare metal as far as you can, and treat the rest with a proprietary rust proofer. It is possible to replace the chrome firebox cowl if you need to, but this is somewhat involved as it requires drilling out and replacing a number of rivets. To keep bare metal from rusting again, wipe it down with the ultimate engineering tool: the oily rag!
Hope this helps - welcome to the forum!
Odilon
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MTA
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Steven,
Do as the others have said. But here's my advice on after care:
I find that WD40 is best for a nice sheen on the paintwork, although I wouldn't use it in the firebox in case you set the paintwork alight  Brasso wadding is better than brasso liquid on steam toys for metal work. Just ip a piece off, scrub away until a black liquid forms, which shows you've shoved a bit of dirt, then wipe off with a suitable bit of rag
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tarbyonline
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Cheers for the help guys. All the seals, washers and such seem ok apart from the ones on the whistle which have fallen apart now after a couple of runs. Have PM'd barry1946 to see if he still has some for sale so hopefully will get that sorted soon. Got mast of the soot of with lots of soap, water, a brillo pad (lightly), and lots of elbow grease. Surprisingly she already looks like a different engine! Will get some wet and dry when the shops open again an get to work on the wheels. Gonna put some pics up later. Just gonna get some breakfast and such first (can't do anything on an empty stomach!). Thanks again for your help!
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mc_mc
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| tarbyonline wrote: | | Cheers for the help guys. All the seals, washers and such seem ok apart from the ones on the whistle which have fallen apart now after a couple of runs. Have PM'd barry1946 to see if he still has some for sale so hopefully will get that sorted soon. Got mast of the soot of with lots of soap, water, a brillo pad (lightly), and lots of elbow grease. Surprisingly she already looks like a different engine! Will get some wet and dry when the shops open again an get to work on the wheels. Gonna put some pics up later. Just gonna get some breakfast and such first (can't do anything on an empty stomach!). Thanks again for your help! |
Welcome to the forums!
Barry will sort you out for washers etc. It's worth ordering a few of each sort as you're paying for the postage anyway. Here's some I bought recently:
Good luck with the restoration.
Mc
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Mamodman123
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| tarbyonline wrote: | | Cheers for the help guys. All the seals, washers and such seem ok apart from the ones on the whistle which have fallen apart now after a couple of runs. Have PM'd barry1946 to see if he still has some for sale so hopefully will get that sorted soon. Got mast of the soot of with lots of soap, water, a brillo pad (lightly), and lots of elbow grease. Surprisingly she already looks like a different engine! Will get some wet and dry when the shops open again an get to work on the wheels. Gonna put some pics up later. Just gonna get some breakfast and such first (can't do anything on an empty stomach!). Thanks again for your help! |
Look forward to the pictures!
Barry is a legend when it comes to washers
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tmuir
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I was just looking for Bary's post as I need some washers but cant seem to find it.
Can someone remind me where it is or provide a link.
Thanks
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Mamodman123
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| tmuir wrote: | I was just looking for Bary's post as I need some washers but cant seem to find it.
Can someone remind me where it is or provide a link.
Thanks |
For sale board?
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tmuir
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| Mamodman123 wrote: | | tmuir wrote: | I was just looking for Bary's post as I need some washers but cant seem to find it.
Can someone remind me where it is or provide a link.
Thanks |
For sale board? |
Doh! 
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tarbyonline
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picsOK, here is some pics in the present state now that ive got most of the grime off (much better than a couple of days ago).
Top down view from side. Note the black hole on the flywheel which appears to be an alan screw. I never remember there being a brass screw there
Shot from front with canopy on
Picture of the staining on bottom of canopy. Any way to get rid of this
As you can see, shes not in bad nick now with the firebox, wheels, fwd/rev lever and whistle arm being the main corrosion points. Wheels are coming off (prob tomorrow) so i can get the rest of the soot of the chrome so will get to give them a good soak and clean!
By the way, does anybody know where i can get a spare thumbscrew for the canopy as mine is missing. Even a pack of spare screws would be handy!
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Mamodman123
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Its not as bad as I thought it would be anyway!
Should clean up a treat that one! A light rubing with t-cut may remove the staining under the canopy!
Get those wheels cleaned up and it'll be a treat!
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tarbyonline
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Good stuff. As i say, after a good scrub it isnt half as bad as i thought. Is a different engine already!
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Dauntless
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looking good up to now tarby!
cant wait to hear about when you run it!
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MooseMan
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I've seen far, far worse ones! Bit of spit and polish and she'll be good as gold.
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Wallace
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| tarbyonline wrote: | | Good stuff. As i say, after a good scrub it isnt half as bad as i thought. Is a different engine already! |
Looks good mate. A good clean and polish the wheels, it'll be great just as others said
So it's an alan screw in the flywheel? Good idea as they are less likely to break, compared to a normal grubscrew that requires a flathead screwdriver to undo.
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SPOKESMAN
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That shouldn't take too much! As the guys say - Ive seen far worse!!!
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tarbyonline
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Ok, an update. Got to B&Q today and got some dremel bits - 400 for £9.99 (own branded ones - don't have the cash to buy genuine dremel parts!), some wet and dry and a good set of allen keys. The flywheel IS an allen bolt believe it or not and takes a 1/16" allen key! Have now stripped the rear wheels, flywheel, and crankshaft off and am steeping them in some soapy water for an hour or two. Then they are booked in for a meeting with mr dremel and the wet & dry
Hopefully my parts will arrive in the next day or two and I will be steaming again by the weekend!
Has anybody and idea how to get the handle of the steering rod back to its original condition? At the moment it is stained gray by all the gunk that was on it 
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mj
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The handles i think are made from beech, which characteristically stains to a grey colour with water/steam ingress. Rub it down with 150 grit paper (aluminum oxide paper is best for wood), this should get rid of most of the staining depending on severity. Then coat with 3 or 4 coats of clear varnish.
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Mamodman123
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Sounds good!
One tip, don't dremel the chrome on the firebox or it'll be gone in 5 seconds
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tarbyonline
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| Mamodman123 wrote: | Sounds good!
One tip, don't dremel the chrome on the firebox or it'll be gone in 5 seconds |
The firebox has come up well with just some soapy water and a light brilloing. Gave the flywheel a bit of a dremeling first with the wire brush, a bit of grinding where the pitting was severist and off course the felt wheel to buff it up. Pretty pleased with the results but still some very severe pitting.
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Mamodman123
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| tarbyonline wrote: | | Mamodman123 wrote: | Sounds good!
One tip, don't dremel the chrome on the firebox or it'll be gone in 5 seconds |
The firebox has come up well with just some soapy water and a light brilloing. Gave the flywheel a bit of a dremeling first with the wire brush, a bit of grinding where the pitting was severist and off course the felt wheel to buff it up. Pretty pleased with the results but still some very severe pitting. |
You may not be able to get ALL pitting out, but you can get the worst of it out the mazak . If a metal corrodes it can leave marks or pitting
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SPOKESMAN
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Nice to see this TE when its done - sounds like you are getting into it Tarby!
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tarbyonline
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Just finished cleaning. Need to put a bit of wax on and such before photos, but just test running now!
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SPOKESMAN
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| tarbyonline wrote: | | Just finished cleaning. Need to put a bit of wax on and such before photos, but just test running now! |
Good stufff!
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tarbyonline
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Not running fantastically (can only propel itself for about 2 mins), but i've seen it go worse. Need to get some new washers on and will see how it goes and also not impressed with the modern fuel tablets. Much preferred the square brown box one i originally used. It going meths when i get some money! Waxing commences tomorrow!
Looks like i'm gonna put what I've learned to good use now. Got a SR1 for myself, and a te1a for my dad on their way!
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Mamodman123
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| tarbyonline wrote: | Not running fantastically (can only propel itself for about 2 mins), but i've seen it go worse. Need to get some new washers on and will see how it goes and also not impressed with the modern fuel tablets. Much preferred the square brown box one i originally used. It going meths when i get some money! Waxing commences tomorrow!
Looks like i'm gonna put what I've learned to good use now. Got a SR1 for myself, and a te1a for my dad on their way! |
Yes, get some new washers and seals on it and it will go a little better .There should be no leaks from anywhere really.
Meths will improve the run! it will get better the more you run it too
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tarbyonline
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Ok, slight problem. The paint on the inside of the front of the fire box (nearest to the front of the engine i mean) has peeled badly. Now when i try to steam the engine the part where the paint is missing is catching fire!!!! I am gonna try repaint in there with hamerite BBQ paint (from halfords) but should i do anything else previous to this. Seems very strange to me the fact that the metal catches fire!
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SPOKESMAN
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Best remove all the loose stuff and paint, although without dismantling the firebox its a tricky one.
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tarbyonline
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looking to get a pop rivet gun in the near future so i can take this type of thing apart. Are they hard to use. Any recommendations on what not to buy? There is still a lot of soot on the boiler in there too which i want rid of. Looks like im gonna have to get me a riveter soon.
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SPOKESMAN
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| tarbyonline wrote: | | looking to get a pop rivet gun in the near future so i can take this type of thing apart. Are they hard to use. Any recommendations on what not to buy? There is still a lot of soot on the boiler in there too which i want rid of. Looks like im gonna have to get me a riveter soon. |
I bough a pop rivetter recently - the gun with 4 different heads+rivets was about 7 inc postage - well worth investing in one.
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Wallace
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| tarbyonline wrote: | | looking to get a pop rivet gun in the near future so i can take this type of thing apart. Are they hard to use. Any recommendations on what not to buy? There is still a lot of soot on the boiler in there too which i want rid of. Looks like im gonna have to get me a riveter soon. |
If you won't be using it too often, a cheap pop riveter will do the job.
As they get old with use, they can lose their gripping power
Very easy to use.
Main things is to get good quality rivets. Cheap ones won't "pop" neatly
Good luck
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SPOKESMAN
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| tarbyonline wrote: | | looking to get a pop rivet gun in the near future so i can take this type of thing apart. Are they hard to use. Any recommendations on what not to buy? There is still a lot of soot on the boiler in there too which i want rid of. Looks like im gonna have to get me a riveter soon. |
Forgot to say - there are always loads on ebay.
If you re-rivet the boiler back onto the firebox rear wall - you will need copper rivets. You can get these from Forest if need be.
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tarbyonline
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Update:
Firebox has been stripped, sanded, repainted and reriveted, and boiler has been polished up with T-Cut. All washers have been replaced with "barry specials" Unfortunately the smoke box and chimney have taken damage somewhere alone the line and have suffered quite a bit of paintloss. Tempted to repaint 
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SPOKESMAN
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| tarbyonline wrote: | Update:
Firebox has been stripped, sanded, repainted and reriveted, and boiler has been polished up with T-Cut. All washers have been replaced with "barry specials" Unfortunately the smoke box and chimney have taken damage somewhere alone the line and have suffered quite a bit of paintloss. Tempted to repaint |
Got any pics Tarby? Sounds promising!
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Mamodman123
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| tarbyonline wrote: | Update:
Firebox has been stripped, sanded, repainted and reriveted, and boiler has been polished up with T-Cut. All washers have been replaced with "barry specials" Unfortunately the smoke box and chimney have taken damage somewhere alone the line and have suffered quite a bit of paintloss. Tempted to repaint |
Sounds like good progress Tarby
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tarbyonline
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| SPOKESMAN wrote: | | tarbyonline wrote: | Update:
Firebox has been stripped, sanded, repainted and reriveted, and boiler has been polished up with T-Cut. All washers have been replaced with "barry specials" Unfortunately the smoke box and chimney have taken damage somewhere alone the line and have suffered quite a bit of paintloss. Tempted to repaint |
Got any pics Tarby? Sounds promising! |
Will do when i get my camera card reader back of my brother. The SE2 and workshop turned up today.
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Mamodman123
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| tarbyonline wrote: | | SPOKESMAN wrote: | | tarbyonline wrote: | Update:
Firebox has been stripped, sanded, repainted and reriveted, and boiler has been polished up with T-Cut. All washers have been replaced with "barry specials" Unfortunately the smoke box and chimney have taken damage somewhere alone the line and have suffered quite a bit of paintloss. Tempted to repaint |
Got any pics Tarby? Sounds promising! |
Will do when i get my camera card reader back of my brother. The SE2 and workshop turned up today. |
Cool!
That as I remember was a right bargain
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