Hi guys, i just came back home from one year of university residence life, and guess what happened to my models, they are all covered with dust!!!
Now i know the long term solution is to get a display case, but right now i need to get rid of the dust first.
I just want to know how you people deal with the dust problem.
Welcome to the forum.
I have an attachment for my compressor that I use for heavy dust. I dial down the pressure and it hoots it through a long pipette that works like the compressed air cans for cleaning electronic equipment. A can of compressed air would work fine. A photographers “poof” brush. (The kind you squeeze and it blows air as well as having a very soft brush on the end) A Make-up brush. They have very soft bristles and are great for gently removing dust. If you ever go to a show, you’ll see guys fawning over their models with these things like make-up stylists over a diva.
Warmachine,
I clean dust off by…never letting the stuff get on a model in the first place!!
I know, I know…it’s an imperfect world and we all don’t have a hermetically sealed, climate controlled, Ph neutral showcase to display our wares. Wish I did.
But Mike has some good ideas…and to add to his ideas…I use Q-tips dipped in warm water, and take note, if you seal your decals with a clearcoat, you can (and I do) run your models (carefully) under the faucet if they’re really grubby - provided the structure of the model is robust enough to live through the experience. A tiny foam make-up applicator can work wonders for this.
I also use my airbrush to blow dust off my models.
The main problem (you’ll see when you try) is to remove the dust particles that have adhered to the model surface - creating a film - sorta like road grime on a car. It’s easy enough to get rid of the loose dust - but what’s next?
This grime must be washed off - it’s the only way. That’s where soft bristled brushes, Q-tips, little bits of flannel material come in handy, to actually scrub, or polish, the offending crap off your model.
Once that’s done, if you don’t plan on keeping them on display permanently, use large ziplock bags to place the model into, then place the model in a box - I use keyboard boxes - long and flat - perfect for cars.
Good luck!
I have over 40 models and most oare over 20 years old, so I too asked this question and someone here on FSM gave this advice.
After living here for a few years, I now know why they call Kansas part of the dust bowl. I can have an inch of dust in six weeks. To keep up, I have started “washing” many of my models with a mild carwash soap (make sure it is for new finishes such as “clearcoat” safe) in the kitchen sink. I fill the sink, dip and agitate the model, scrub hard to reach areas or areas with compacted dirt with a really soft brush, then blow dry it with the airbrush. Seems to work really well and the clearcoat safe carwash soap hasn’t bothered the future finish. Just don’t use hot or warm water, use cold water.
I just moved into a house and still havn’t had a chance to build cases, so I need to dust a lot.
Scott
A soft brush and a lotta TLC is what I use.
I actually enjoy cleaning them. Kinda gets me back in touch with them!
[#ditto] same for me a very soft paint brush and loads of tlc
i use a spray can of compressed air & a soft blush brush…
frosty[:)]
Keep an eye out in thrift and junk stores as well as garage sales and swapmeets for those clear acrylic boxes that were made for storing sweaters, shoes and the like. Unfortunately, those boxes are no longer made as far as I know; I’ve never been able to locate them in Target, Kmart or other such stores. They do carry semi-clear plastic containers, but they’re only semi-transparent and some of them are tinted blue or other colors. I guess in a pinch, they will do if you get desperate enough. Anyway, those boxes will help keep dust (and in my case, cat hair) off the models.
For smaller models, a cheap round cake plate with a clear plastic lid will work; I have something similar for my 1932 Chrysler Imperial. If you have a Linens and Things store nearby, check them out (bring the dimensions of the model).