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Displaying/storing your models?

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  • Member since
    May 2015
Displaying/storing your models?
Posted by albireo13 on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 7:25 AM

Getting back into models with a Fokker Dr1triplane.  When I did models as a kid, I just left them out on the dresser for display.  They would get pretty dusty after awhile and cleaning WW1 planes, with rigging, can be tricky.

What do you folks do for displaying your aircraft?   Do you keep them in display cases?

How do you best clean them?

Thanks,

Rob

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 9:01 AM

I bought a couple of book cases- assemble-it yourself furniture- and bought pieces of plexiglas to serve as doors, hinged to side of case.  But they filled up fast with my collection, so I still have no place to put new ones.  Guess I need to buy another case.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    June 2013
Posted by RobGroot4 on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 11:19 PM

For cleaning, I recommend hitting them with air.  If you have an airbrush use that (no fluid, just air).  If you don't you can use a can of air for computers.  Just make sure you start spraying on a paper towel or something as the cans will have a bit of moisture that can mark your model.

Groot

"Firing flares while dumping fuel may ruin your day" SH-60B NATOPS

  • Member since
    May 2014
Posted by SubarooMike on Thursday, May 14, 2015 12:08 AM
I display mine in a curio cabinet. It's sealed so my models and curios don't get dusty. But I used to use a soft make-up brush or compressed air at a lower psi to dust them.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Saturday, May 16, 2015 8:49 AM

I finished off my basement as a dedicated "War Room"...fortunate for me!!!

I have one main display..."built in"...

Stash is hidden in the cabinets below.

I have added several shelves and a couple book cases for the rest...

One more "built in" / recessed case for my choppers...

As far as cleaning goes...I blow off what I can, then use a soft, wide brush to get the rest. It is tedious, YES...but it's fun to look over the models again, now end then!

  • Member since
    May 2015
Posted by albireo13 on Saturday, May 16, 2015 12:35 PM

OMG, that's awesome!!

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Indiana USA
Posted by BlackTulip109 on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 10:52 AM

WOW what a model display room!!!!

Very tastefully displayed.

How did you mount the ones you have on the wall? Very cool indeed!!!

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 7:06 AM

I have a couple of thin tall glass and metal curio cabinets from Ikea that houses the smaller builds but found this beauty at a shop that was going out of business so now I can display even 1/24 aircraft. I can still add another glass shelf for a total of 6 display shelves:

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    June 2013
Posted by bvallot on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 8:03 AM

Damn fermis!  That's an impressive set up.  I doubt I'd get a space that big unless it was in a garage and detached from the house. lol

albireo13: I personally put mine up on a shelf of sorts...mostly a bookcase.  I have heard that a quite a few pack them away after in boxes and label them to find them again easily.

On the bench:  

Tamiya F4U-1  Kenneth Walsh

 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Friday, May 22, 2015 10:10 PM

BlackTulip109

WOW what a model display room!!!!

Very tastefully displayed.

How did you mount the ones you have on the wall? Very cool indeed!!!

Thank you!

For the ones hanging on the wall, I just tied a loop with fishing line, wrapped the tail and hook the loop on a tiny nail.

  • Member since
    December 2014
  • From: trevor wi
Posted by keepingitsimple on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 12:48 PM

now that my wife has finished sanding all the dry wall mud i have 100 or better hanging or on shelves. if i use a steamer more mud if i air it off where does it go? should i just toss or wash. very frustrating. thank you anybody. i dont know where to go to ask a ? be patient pls ron

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 1:30 PM

Fermis: Everytime I see your area I'm amazed. Even after the first time I saw it 5 years ago on here. Still has the same effect.

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 2:53 PM

keepingitsimple

now that my wife has finished sanding all the dry wall mud i have 100 or better hanging or on shelves. if i use a steamer more mud if i air it off where does it go? should i just toss or wash. very frustrating. thank you anybody. i dont know where to go to ask a ? be patient pls ron

 

E-gads!!! Drywall dust....that's the stuff they make nightmares out of!

When it comes time for dusting, I'll blow a big breath of air across em to knock off the loose stuff...then I'll use a large-ish paint brush (about 3/4" long and a little better than 1/2" wide) and while blowing, I'll "sweep" the brush back and forth. Turn it longways to get the dust out of the recessed detail.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 2:56 PM

mustang1989

Fermis: Everytime I see your area I'm amazed. Even after the first time I saw it 5 years ago on here. Still has the same effect.

 

It has changed a bit, since those pics were posted!

Things are still pretty much in the same spot...I just built bigger/better shelving units...

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 2:59 PM

Once again.......bewildered!!

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: 29° 58' N 95° 21' W
Posted by seasick on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 6:12 PM

I keep mine on shelves until they fall apart or I replace them. My Sea Harrier keeps falliing apart and its header for the garbage can if things keep happening to it. The paint seems to deteriorate over time also. 

Chasing the ultimate build.

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, May 12, 2017 12:16 PM

If you can keep them in a closed display--in a curio cabinet or other cabinet with glass doors, or under clear covers, whether glass or clear plastic--that's the best.  Otherwise, it's just as you remember from your childhood--they will gather dust.

I'm with Groot-I use my airbrush and compressor on the lowest possible setting to blow dust away.  I have very little display space, so I've got finished models sitting out, exposed to the air.  I do have some of the small display cases you can get at the craft store, Michael's.  They have a good selection of display cases, and I like the ones that are sized for displaying a football.  But there are various sizes and shapes.  And Michael's has an ongoing 40% sale on most of their stock, so you can usually get them at a discount.

I have a room in my house set aside to display my models, and my figures, but till I finish remodeling it--it's taking longer than my builds--most of mine are in boxes.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posted by ridleusmc on Friday, May 12, 2017 12:28 PM

Plasticjunkie mentioned glass cabinets from Ikea, which is what I use as well. I have 3 of these at the moment.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10119206/

 

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: MOAB, UTAH
Posted by JOE RIX on Saturday, May 13, 2017 7:26 AM

Everyone here seems to have you on track for what you are looking for. My piece of advice is to frequent second hand stores, classified adds, yard sales, businesses remodeling, etc... to possibly pick up display cabinets on the cheap. That's how I've come to obtain mine. Although they are kind of a mish mash, they serve their purpose and were either a bargain or free. 

"Not only do I not know what's going on, I wouldn't know what to do about it if I did". George Carlin

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Saturday, May 13, 2017 8:13 AM

I have open shelves and the dust is an issue

 

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Virginia
Posted by Mike F6F on Saturday, May 13, 2017 8:24 AM

Fermis,

Impressive room!

I'd say though, judging from the photos, that your stash is a'leaking out of the cabinets, just a bit.

I keep my models in individual display cases and rotate their display.  When not on display, they are often returned to the display case box and stored in a closet.  Space is becoming an issue.

Mike

 

"Grumman on a Navy Airplane is like Sterling on Silver."

  • Member since
    August 2016
Posted by Keyda81 on Saturday, May 13, 2017 9:06 AM

It depends on the model, but I try to hang them on the wall by the tail.  Some of them I can't do that with.  It cuts down a lot on the dust, and they don't take up a lot of room that way either.  I tend to have bigger builds, and they won't fit in a shelving unit. 

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Wolfman_63 on Sunday, May 14, 2017 6:09 AM

I have a large room in the basement that is my hobby room. Set it up about 7 years ago.

(The shelves are 16" deep) These pictures are from when I first finished it. The shelves are nearly full now.

And here is where most of the building happens:

Website:

David's Scale Models - https://www.davidsscalemodels.com

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2008
Posted by lewbud on Monday, May 15, 2017 1:52 AM

Wolfman, Fermis, you're man caves are most impressive.

Like others have mentioned, I use a soft brush to knock the loose stuff off, then I take a folded up paper napkin, put some rubbing alcohol on it, and wipe the remaining dust off.  The moisture from the alcohol grabs the dust, and whatever gets on the model dries quickly.  I've moved most of my collection under cover.  It's a Billy bookcase with glass doors from IKEA. Running out of space, plan on switching to glass shelves and adding a few more.

Buddy- Those who say there are no stupid questions have never worked in customer service.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Thailand
Posted by Model Maniac on Monday, May 15, 2017 11:44 AM

I have display cases for most of my models. Here are some pics from my 4x6m showroom:

 

Impressive Songs:

All 10 Playlists that I created on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ModelManiacThailand/playlists

Pan Flute Music (300 songs) (Most Popular, over 100K views):

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZO7alagEPsEMzgBkWt4-vKV

El Condor Pasa (Top 50) (World's most famous and my most favorite song):

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUNb2zPxGTZOLKHbju350mLle4HkMhsb8

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 5:53 AM

Model Maniac

I have display cases for most of my models. Here are some pics from my 4x6m showroom:

 

 

Bow Down

 

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Poland
Posted by Aleksander on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 1:39 PM

My "store" and my workbench (sometimes busy)






  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Thursday, May 25, 2017 6:24 AM

Aleksander

My "store" and my workbench (sometimes busy)






 

 

 

 

 

Nice cabinet and display. I take it you like SpitfiresBig Smile

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Thursday, May 25, 2017 7:52 AM
Maniac,it can't be fun dusting off that rail gun.

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by blackdog62 on Friday, May 26, 2017 2:38 PM

Dust is the reason I shut all my conopys but I still detail my cockpits out.

Just can't see them that well with them shut. But I do like your open shelving.

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