Cleaning your model kit (help!)

Washing is usually the first step before construction. I leave off all of the small parts such as antenna and such until after painting is complete. You said sealing it for decals, did you paint it? If so, what paint type did you use? More info please.

I have done two things to get rid of dust or whatever just before I paint.  One trick is to use a piece of paper towel or a Kleenex, wetted in rubbing alcohol to gently wash an area.

The other is to crank up my airbrush, with no bottle on it, and use the air from the airbrush nozzle to blow dust away.  This works okay if it is humid enough that static cling does not overpower air blast.

Ron

HawkeyeHobbies: Yes, the model is already painted.  The main paint job is Tamiya semi-gloss black from a spray can, with Testors red enamel for the wing tips and nacelle detail.  I had read somewhere (or I thought that I did) that it is recommended to wash the model before applying a sealer, so as to remove any oils left by your hands. Is this true, or am I misinformed?

Generally, it is a good idea to wash the parts before starting the build, to get any mold release compound off of them.  I leave them on the sprues and dunk them repeatedly in a plastic tub of warm water with diswashing soap.  Then I rinse them by dunking them in clear water, or use the kitchen sprayer on them, and lay them out on a towel to air dry.

It's also a good idea to do this between every paint or sealer coat, to get your finger oils off.  It is mandatory if you are trying to get a good natural metal finish.