Wash your model, you heard right!

I think this is overkill for kits from decent manufacturers.
Concerning aircraft kits, the only ones I heard this was needed were some from ICM (a company from Ukraine). However one should certainly wash the assembled kit before painting.

best,

Christian.

I wash all my kits regardless of which material they are made of or where they are from.

Also got a ton of rubber gloves and wooden dowels to hold pieces so that I touch them as little as possible.

Mold residue, release agents and oil fom your fingers are the worsy enemies of a good paint finish, apart from poor surface preparation and lack of primer.

Usually, I wash the model after construction, before painting. Some kits, like ICM & a few other East Europe kits, I clean with de-natured alcohol before I even think about starting them.

Regards, Rick

Blitz -

It's a good practice in theory, and can't hurt. I've washed some, and not others. Honestly haven't noticed too much of a difference. If you even think there might be a residue, then wash it. If there are small parts, that might need a cleaning a little isopropal alcohol on a cotton swab, works sell.

Archer out.

Hmmm, to tell you the truth, I have been away from model building for about 5 years, but the urge is too great, I have to build
In the past, I have never washed any of the model kits prior to building, but I have read it somewhere that its a good idea to wash.
My choice of models is "Dragon Models"
I have noticed that Dragon model kits are by no means "oily" but like I said, they say to wash, it wont hurt, will it?

Also, some of you say that you wash before painting... wont this take off the glue or the cement to fill the gaps with?

Thanks

To add my 2 cents to this, I'm one of those who doesn't wash the plastic before starting construction. However, I always wash before painting as this removes all the sanding residue from the model (especially the panel lines) as well as oils from your hands. And it also removes any mold release oils from the model as a bonus. Kill two birds with one stone and just wash the model before painting.
Hey, I just about forgot. to the forum!

to the forum BlitzZ. We have all had to learn to wash first. It does'nt matter which brand of kit, there has to be some sort of residue left over. It probably pays to use several methods of cleaning on each one brfore assembly. Atleast, thats the way I usually choose to do it.

This sounds like a good idea so I'm gonna try it. Do you sit there and scrub the parts or do you just let them soak in the water?

I understand washing before the paint job, but I am confused.
What about the parts that have to be painted before fully assembling the model?
Did I miss something?
P.S. Thanks for the warm welcome. You guys are great!

My rules are:
1.) Wash the parts after cleanup,, sanding, puttying, joining parts, removing masks, etc.
2.) Wash parts prior to applying primer.
3.) Do NOT touch the parts after they are primed, if you do so wear rubber/surgical gloves.
4.) Lay down a clear coat between major paint layers.

Blitz, thats where washing before you start your build comes in. I usually wash in warm water and detergent before, paint what small parts I can while still on the tree then begin assembly. Then after major assembly I wash before the paint etc...

Pretty much exactly what MM said in the previous post is a good guide... better safe than sorry is my motto.. I remember a few kits in my younger years and the fingerprints that showed up AFTER painting...

I always wash my models before begining assembly. The one time I didn't I had a hard time making the paint staying. I am not sure if was because of the paint or not washing the model but any case I decided to keep washing the parts before starting. Its my routine now. I also wash before finial painting as well.

Hmm... I have never ever washed any plastic before any of my builds, and I build kits from all manufacturers. I don`t say it`s not good, just that I have never done it....and it works anyway...

I used to not wash, and it seems like I would sometimes get funky paint problems, not always but ocasionally, over the past few years I always wash everything straight out of the box and always wash my hands before beginning the days build session, now I can't remember the last time I had problems with a paint job.
Also, I worked in a plastics factory for many years and I know we sprayed all kinds of junk into the molds to help the parts release more easily, so from my experience I think it is a good idea to wash parts.

I agree.

I wash the model twice at a minumum, once at the start of assembly while all the parts are on the sprues and then again just before the exterior colors are applied. The first is more to remove any greases (mold release) that may be on the interior parts which will be painted and installed prior to the larger parts (fuselages, wings etc) being assembled. The second time is to remove any oils which I may have introduced during assembly (I have produced a couple of models which have had perfect fingerprints in the paint where the paint wouldn't adhere - not to mention some models that had a bunch of pin hole in the paint). I wear surgical gloves when I make the second wash and the model doesn't get handled by bare hands until all the painting and decaling is completed. (Occasionally a model gets a third bath after the decals are applied - some decals leave a residue around the decal because of either the materials used in the manufacture of them or a reaction to the decal setting fluid).

If you do decide that you are going to wash your models before painting, don't just shake them off and try to start painting - there is nothing more frustrating than to be painting and all of a sudden two or three drops of water roll out onto the paint, expecially if they go into your brush or spray pattern. After I've shaken as much water out of the model (gently, gently) I set my regulator to 20 to 25 psi and use my airbrush like an air gun. I try to get a good stream of air blown into and out of anyplace I think water can get in or out of. Then I let the model set for a minimun of 24 hours and reblow the same areas (it will also remove any dust which might have settled on the model). Then I paint.

I was curious about something, though: should you still wash them after applying PE details (I know, regardless, the answer will be "yes")?

I have a 48th scale F-15E that I'm putting some PE on now, and I'm getting ready to finish it's assembly. After I wrap up the final sanding and such, it only makes sense to give it a final wash before I shoot it (I'm also concerned about body oils, duh).

My question really refers to corrosion, though. I know they're "brass" and are less susceptible to rust than, say, raw steel, but they can still corrode. What should I do, soak/wash, then blow those areas dry as quickly as possible?

Danke..

First for Blitz one of your questions really didnt get answered.... scrubbing. Thats up to you and the detail you have on your model. If the outside of you model is featurless like now entennas and such a LIGHT scrubbing is ok. Your best bet is to use a shallow tub with mild detergeant and luke warm water. Remeber Tempature of the water will effect the plastic. To hot and you go from Having a perfectly good P-51 to a peice of.... art .
When I was tought in the early 70's one of the basic's that was drilled into me was before cleaning for the paint job, was to give the over all model a very light sanding with the finest sandpaper ya got, then soak the model for a while ( I do 15 minutes) and air dry over night. I stay away from scrubbing when I clean if I can because I dont wanna scratch up the plastic.
I still practice this today so I have never had fish eyes or blemishes of that type (including orange peel) since my first couple of models. The Basic modeling Techneques(sp) are fundamental to your enjoyment. The stronger they are, no matter what your skill is over time or turns of interest in the hobby; the fundamentals never change.Every modeling tech. out there is off the fundametals.
Clean
becareful
Be present
pay attention
have fun
So next time while youre modeling and faced with something new, look to the core of the problem and check it. Did you scimp on dry fitting, skim over sanding it well... soak the model in glue (been there done that, have the Tee). Those are all fundamentals and without respecting them you will not have any enjoyment in what you do.
Hope this helps you out bro, this question really starts from not having any confidence in your work, but trust me.... in short order you will

Welcome to the show,
Jeff

If the plastic is dirty (like some from ICM) I wash it before building.
I always wash before painting, I use windscreen wiper fluid with some extra alcohol added. I use a stif brush to gently srcub the surface. Then I wash the model a second time with water. During the painting and decalling I always use rubber gloves.