Washing springs

[Andy W]

Am I right in thinking that I can put a finished BB sprung coach chassis in an ultrasound cleaner and not worry about the spring wire rusting as a result? I assume the wire is stainless steel? I could slide them out I know, but I'm trying to avoid the fiddle of setting things up again.

Ta.

Andy

[Jol Wilkinson]

Andy,

I wouldn't rely on it being SS. I've had minor "corrosion" problems with spring wire supplied with sprung bogie kits before.

Jol

[Russ Elliott]

Jol's right. Guitar string is not stainless. The best thing would be to blacken the spring during construction, then it can be washed later with impunity.

[craig_whilding]

Guitar strings generally aren't stainless steel looking at the ones i've managed to rust when used for springing.. Better to take out the wire if possible and refit after cleaning and painting once you know its fettled ok.

edit: Cross over with Russ there..

[Will L]

..and painting once you know its fettled ok.

Not convinced about painting, not if you want the springs to move freely through a fulcrum.

Why keep your springs in place during cleaning and painting?

Will

[Mark Tatlow]

I lightly oil them after cleaning - just enough to cover the surface.

[craig_whilding]

..and painting once you know its fettled ok.

Not convinced about painting, not if you want the springs to move freely through a fulcrum.

Why keep your springs in place during cleaning and painting?

Will

Sorry, i'd meant after painting the bogie/underframe not the spring carrier. I only blacken the carrier and the section of u/f it runs against which is covered with some tape while the part is sprayed.

With some springing solutions/installations the spring system/wheelset is held captive by part of the build.