Washing new plastic models?

well I usually wash.. but a recent kit had me baffled.. it was the HH-65 from Trumpeter... I washed it... assembled... even sanded with Tamiya finishing paper and washed again... I went to paint it and BAM!!!!! there were spots the paint beaded up like I had armorall or Scotch Guard on it...

Since my dad wanted me to build the kit for him... and especially since he built SO many for me as a kid, I felt duty bound to do it over so I bought another one... this time I used alcohol... it went a LOT better than the first one though I find it still is lacking in adhesion.. (nothing flaked off YET but I have this feeling)

After this I will wash and alcohol all models... after hearing about the silicone I understand what happened I think....

I do it like Foster. I wash the model after assembly and before painting.

Dave

With all the handling, I usually save the washing until right before paint.

I always wash a model before building. I let it soak in warm water with some dish soap. Then let it air over night before starting the build. Its a routin I have down now and my wife can always tell when I am starting a new one partly because she knows the routine now and because I let it dry over night on the kitchen cabinet. The one time I didn't do this I had a hard time getting the pain to stick. I think this had to do with just that kit but it was enough to tell me to stay with the routine. After building but before painting I wash the model again to get any crease from handleing or dust off the model. So I guess in all I wash the model twice.

Rob

Thanks to all for your interest. My wife's through in the kitchen...I think I'll wash. I was just being lazy.

I typically don't wash a kit before starting it. If you're like me, and don't use gloves when building, by the time you've handled, scraped, handled, sanded, handled, polished, and glued parts into place, 90% of anything that might have been there before you started, is now long gone. I do wash down my builds with warm water before painting, but that's just me.

As posted above: "you pays yer money and you takes yer pick".
Most plastics molds are sprayed with a releases agent (typically silicone or a variant) to ensure the injusted plastic is not molded permanently to the mold halves and the press out pins are given a fighting chance to get the bits out.

Most makers do not bother to wash off the releases agent so it is up to you to do it if you think it warrants it.

Personally I do to help the glue adhere more effectively and also to help with the paint quality. I also use glove to avoid oil from my fingers for the same reason.

Cheers , Pete.

I don't wash before assembly, but ALWAYS before painting. It's a cheap insurance policy as far as I'm concerned.

I wash mine in pretty warm water with dishsoap, use a small stiff brish for all the nooks and cranies(sp?) and let it soak in the soapy water for about ten minutes. I then dry them and use plastic prep from Polly S. It's a lot to do, but in the end I don't have to worry about paint adhesion.

I never used to, but started doing so after reading about it some years ago. I just use a little dish detergant and rinse. I personally haven't noticed any difference, but it makes sense that paint won't adhere to an oily kit.

If you build an RoG kit or a kit from a eastern European company, plan on washing it. Those kits have a greasy feel to
them.

It's a good precaution, although some kits are cleaner than others. If you ever build an ICM kit, plan on washing it at least twice.

Regards, Rick

you pays your penny and takes your chances, if you don't.

Right or wrong, I never wash. My models I mean!