Potted Motor cleaning

[Koolranch]

I am in the process of cleaning and rebuilding the 15-91 I got for free a few weeks ago. I was wondering if anyone has ever used electric motor cleaner in a aerosol can to clean old grime and grease in and around the motor? I used to use this on RC car motors with great success. This one was very dirty and the wires are rough. I still think I can get it back to life.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/37289691?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227025021518&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=57056101329&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=89561371689&veh=sem

http://www.advantagehobby.com/109964/RRO9851/?utm_source=google+shopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=product&gclid=CjwKEAiAnLGjBRCk_I-y_4iAmB0SJADGjWWzLbKXq_UE7tz0FhZ4TVeVFthSaL-EgaQKXw1NvhSvSBoCmSHw_wcB

http://www.rcplanet.com/HPI_NITRO_CAR_CLEANER_p/hpi74116.htm?gclid=CjwKEAiAnLGjBRCk_I-y_4iAmB0SJADGjWWzYHyC-M7dX_2ocjzvWXzfBaBZ4rkANVB9a_WMYd44OBoCrNfw_wcB

[gmcttr]

While it may well be safe, I have avoided spraying down the armatures and windings. I'm not knowledgeable enough to know if today's cleaners are safe on the lacquers or whatever was used to seal the old windings.

I use cotton swabs with the motor cleaners to isolate their use to the housing, commutator and brushes. The commutators typically get a light sanding to clean and flatten as required.

I also replace the old hardened grease wicks (http://shop.sew-classic.com/Motor-Bearing-Grease-Wick-201-2-and-15-91-by-the-inch-WICK-3.htm) (leading to the motor shaft bushings) and grease the new ones and their reservoirs with Vaseline (it has the low melting point needed to wick).

The spiral gear set gets a modern grease like Triflow w/teflon.

[miyanc]

I used an eraser. As long and the metal was clean I didnt worry about the wires. I worried, like gmcttr advised, that taking off the dirt would pull off the coating or damage the wires. I also replaced the spring loaded contacts. I dont remember the name of them. I did like gmcttr said and clean out all the gunk in the casing and lube tubes. She Purrs now. Speaking of which I have a project to work on and maybe a cleaning for my 15-91.

[Koolranch]

One more question. The wires were so fried that I'm not sure what wire was red and what wire was black. Can anyone tell me if the top or bottom wire is red??

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/20/aaaeec2b3059930e8f7b8436c6a4e16c.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/20/0caaa420b5bc55fb316621fb5fc306f9.jpg

[gmcttr]

As far as I know, it makes no difference.

[Koolranch]

10-4 thanks again.