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Cleaning Dusty Models

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Zar
  • Member since
    October 2008
Cleaning Dusty Models
Posted by Zar on Monday, September 8, 2014 3:57 PM

Hi all, can you guys give me some options on cleaning models? Pretty dusty and some are caked with dust. Thanks.

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: NW Washington
Posted by dirkpitt77 on Monday, September 8, 2014 4:45 PM

Heh. I consider it weathering LOL. I used to go at 'em with a nice soft paintbrush, but it'd be the better part of 3-4 hours to do them all. Then of course there's the shelves themselves you end up dusting.

  My solution has been to implement an ounce of prevention. I got tired of dusting so I began to invest in  display cases I could seal up against the dust. Been able to find both my big ones on Craigslist for a good price. Had them 5-6 years. No more dusting.

Chris

    "Some say the alien didn't die in the crash.  It survived and drank whiskey and played poker with the locals 'til the Texas Rangers caught wind of it and shot it dead."

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Washington State
Posted by leemitcheltree on Monday, September 8, 2014 6:33 PM

The best cure is prevention.  Keep 'em cased.

But.....if they're clearcoated, then I use a very soft brush and warm water.....careful....careful....

Q-Tips help.  The main thing is.....go slowly.....and carefully.  It works for me.

Cheers, LeeTree
Remember, Safety Fast!!!

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: 29° 58' N 95° 21' W
Posted by seasick on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 12:48 AM

Go to the drug store and buy makeup application brushes, the brushes are very soft and get all the dust off. Also compressed air cans for cleaning computers. If you have a compressor for your air brush you can use short burst of air to get the dust off. A car detailing brush also works well. Swiffer sweeper rags and their duster work well too. Remember to vacuum frequently and change your air conditioner filter every other month at a minimum.  

Chasing the ultimate build.

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by Dean30 on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 4:27 AM

I just very carefully run a yellow duster over the models, I literally let the weight of the duster clean the dust off it is quick, however it can break small antennas etc..... As I don't think I have a single model without a missing part somewhere lol.

  • Member since
    September 2014
Posted by atcDave on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 8:52 AM

I'd add that Tamiya sells a really nice static free brush for exactly this purpose.  It has a large, very soft brush on one end; and smaller "detail" brush on the other.

I find it very useful and it sees a lot of use.  Of course, being Tamiya it's probably a bit over priced.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 9:23 AM

I use an airbrush with no paint or thinner, just the air flow.  For really stuck on dust, I gently brush area with a soft natural fiber paint brush and then immediately blow with the airbrush.  The flow from my airbrush at 15 psi is gentle enough I can even dust my planes that have a lot of rigging, WW1 subjects.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 11:26 AM

Don beat me to it.  I use my airbrush, too, on a very low setting, and a soft paintbrush.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 3:26 PM

I used to use a brush that was made for dusting camera lenses. It was REALLY soft and had a squeeze bulb built into it. I still use the brush but the rubber squeeze bulb is cracked with age (like me) so I use my airbrush with low pressure at the same time.

Jim Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

Zar
  • Member since
    October 2008
Posted by Zar on Saturday, September 13, 2014 1:43 PM

Thanks to all for the responses. Casing right now is not an option so I will try the methods mentioned.

  • Member since
    January 2021
Posted by JoeSMG on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 11:30 AM

Some timeless advice here.

- Joe the SMG

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: On my kitchen counter top somewhere in central North Carolina.
Posted by disastermaster on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 4:49 PM

leemitcheltree

The best cure is prevention.  Keep 'em cased.

Good recommendations here  but this one  is best, if you can.

 https://i.imgur.com/LjRRaV1.png

 

 

 
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