Hi, returning model engineer here. Way back in the 90's I bought a set of 'Lady Stephanie' castings from the old Reeves and, after a couple of years work (and a steep learning curve) I had it completed and running on steam (picture attached). I then stripped it down in order to paint it, at which point I moved house… Having packed it all in various boxes it remained untouched for ten years at the new home, until I moved house again 12 years ago, at which point I unpacked the boxes, did a a bit more painting, and then put it to one side while I sorted out the new house, played with a vintage tractor, learned woodturning etc.

I've now come back to finish Lady S, but have a problem with 'gunge' on all these components that have been sitting on an open shelf for a decade. I have all the machined castings, and any missing other bits I can re-make from bar stock. There's not much rust, but almost everything has a coat of ancient oil and fine sawdust, congealed into a nasty brown mess. Can anyone recommend some kind of cleanser which will shift the muck without damaging the cast-iron, steel or brass, and preferably without removing the paint I've already applied ?

I have various products to hand – Evaporust, Penetrating Oil, Carb & Intake Cleaner, Plus Gas Dismantling Lubricant, White Spirit and Meths. Is there anything on that list that I shouldn't use (the Carb and Intake cleaner might be a bit too harsh for instance) ? And of the safer ones, is there an optimum product for this job. If there's something better that I haven't mentioned, please mention it and I'll see if I can get some.

The next problem I anticipate is taking various sub-assemblies apart, as they are held together with bolts and screws from 2 BA to 14 BA, some of which are bound to be tricky to undo after decades. Is there anything in the list above that would help ? Someone suggested that I apply heat to 'stuck' nuts with a soldering iron, as they're too small for a torch – any comments ?

Be nice to get it finished after 20-odd years.

Edited By Bob Unitt 1 on 01/11/2021 11:41:52

Thanks for all the replies folks

Baz – That shifted the top layer, but not the underlying grunge. I've ordered some Isopropyl alcohol, should be here later this week. After 20+ years I'm sure it can wait a few more days

Edited By Bob Unitt 1 on 01/11/2021 14:32:34

I brew my own IPA thanks, Munton's Gold.

I do take your point, but I'm not too worried about the paintwork – I was contemplating stripping and repainting anyway, as my technique has improved somewhat in the intervening years..

I'll be getting some Citrus Degreaser too, as I'll be passing Halford's on Friday (on my way to my booster jab).

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Edited By Bob Unitt 1 on 02/11/2021 17:01:15

I'm afraid these are the only other two I still have, the rest being lost in the mists of time (these were taken in 2001)

The castings are a bit rough – this was shortly before the original Reeves crashed, and the quality had been going downhill for a while… I'm tempted to scrap that beam, and build a new one from scratch from bar-stock, but I'll get it  all  finished first.

Edited By Bob Unitt 1 on 16/11/2021 10:19:49

Edited By Bob Unitt 1 on 16/11/2021 10:20:22

Incidentally – if anyone is contemplating building a Lady Stephanie of their own, I have a list of all the editions of EIM covering the construction, along with which components are described in in which edition. PM me if you'd like a copy.

(Not sure if it's OK to mention EIM here, my apologies if it isn't.)

In this context, it's as Jon Lawes said. In a non-technical context, it's India Pale Ale

They're both alcohol, it's just that the isopropyl one is a bit stronger…