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How do you clean rusty trackball rollers ?

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Mamezilla:

Hello guys,

Topic says it all.  I opened yesterday my used trackball, and saw that the rollers and bearings were rusty.  There is also some wear on the rollers, as I can see a small "dimp" in the middle of them, where the ball touches on them.  

I saw Peale's post in another thread  (i think it was on the Buy/Sell/Trade forum) where he provided information on the cleaning  the plastic housing and the ball, as well as the lubrification of the bearings.  I am wondering however how to remove effectively the rust on the rollers.  Should I try a Dremel with a metal brush ?  Some kind of product with a rag ?  Or should I not bother with them and order a new set from Bob Roberts, since there is wear on them, and I noticed on one of the axis that the encoder wheel was turning well one way, and not the other way ?

Thanks

Guy

Ken Layton:

I generally order new bearings and roller shafts from Bob Roberts. It's just not worth the trouble to try cleaning the rust off the shaft. However, if you want to try, go to the store and buy a container of "C-L-R calcium lime rust remover". Pour it into a shollow PLASTIC pan, lay the rusted roller shafts in there and pour in the CLR (full strength) until the rollers are completely covered. Let sit for ten minutes then scrub with a brass wire brush. The rust will come off, but wear gloves as the CLR is very strong. After a few minutes dump the CLR out and rinse the shafts with hot water.

MinerAl:

or you can soak them for a few days in a penetrating oil like WD-40.  This has worked wonders for me.

jcoleman:

WD40 is not penetrating oil...if I recall correctly from my high school science class, it's more akin to bits of wax in a suspension.  :)  

Of course, if WD-40 works, then I guess it makes no difference if it's penetrating oil or not.  ;)

Coleman

SirPoonga:

From the wd-40 website:
What does WD-40 stand for?
WD-40 literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th attempt. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who developed WD-40 back in 1953. The chemist, Norm Larsen, was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion

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