Restoring 8455 - how to clean pneumatic elements?

[NathanR]

I just managed to get hold of one of my grail sets, the 8455 Back-Hoe Loader. It's missing a few pieces, but it's in remarkably good condition given that it looks like it was played with in a sandpit and then forgotten about for years. I'm now trying to figure out how best to clean everything.

I've completely dismantled the model. Lego elements that are pure plastic have been washed in warm water with a splash of dish-washing soap, rinsed in cold water, then allowed to air dry. They now look like brand new. However, I'm not sure how best to clean the pneumatic pumps, cylinders, switches, hoses, and the tyres.

For the rubber tyres and pneumatic hoses, can I wash them in either water or soapy water without damaging them? If I immerse the rubber pneumatic hoses, how do I fully dry them out again?

For the pneumatic cylinders, pumps and switches, how do I clean the outsides without getting any moisture inside them? Also, the metal piston rods of the cylinders are showing traces of dirt and possibly corrosion, so how should I deal with those?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[Stereo]

Tires, hoses and switches should be fine to wash the outside in soapy water, I might not submerge the switches, but only to prevent washing out any internal lubricant, they're all rubber/plastic and it's fine if they get wet.  For me I just brush dust off the metal piston rods with my finger but I don't know if there are more aggressive safe options.