Dusty models

[96silverz]

I have some boxes of old models that got pretty dusty when I last had them on shelves. The dust has been on them for quite some time and doesn't come off easily. anyone have any suggestions on how to clean them?

[mountaindewd]

I say that's a prime excuse for more projects. Strip 'em and rebuild?

Les

[cdntrucker]

lukewarm water and a little liquid dishsoap.

I run a sink and submerge them, let em soak. You can use a soft cloth or brush. Rinse with cold water.

Air dry, or bow dry with comp air, low pressure.

works for me.

GC

[96silverz]

thanks, I'll try it...

[455 Rocket]

cdntrucker said:

lukewarm water and a little liquid dishsoap.

I run a sink and submerge them, let em soak. You can use a soft cloth or brush. Rinse with cold water.

Air dry, or bow dry with comp air, low pressure.

works for me.

GC

I do the same thing. Soft paint brushes and tooth brushes help lift the more subborn stuff.

[fkuaso]

i use a plastic prep with a q tip. really makes things shine.

[sourkraut]

The September 2006 issue 117 of Truck Model World has a short article by Nick Ireland on this very subject, quite informative and instills some confidence that your model will probably stay together.

[Deleted]

I sometimes fill a paint bottle with soapy water and run it thru my airbrush. Makes like a mini power washer and does a decent job. Then use clean water to rinse and blow dry it with the bottle removed.

[78KW]

A little preventative maintenence helps when they are on the shelves, too. Take a little clean, never used paintbrush , and "dust" around horns, clearance lights, and other fragile parts if your display isn't enclosed. Mom kept a clean house, and tried to dust my trucks gently. Not meaning to, some parts fell off, or, "the driver went off the cliff". The latter is how my parts box was started. Feeling horrible, she gave me a never used make up brush, and I cleaned the cab roof and other areas that way. The tops of trailers were easily wiped down with a cloth. I did this weekly, as she is allergic to everything, including, of course, dust. Clean air filters for household vents cut down on dust, too. Of course, this is for models already clean. I haven't tried the bathtub method for heavily dusted models, but I will need to so I can clean some built up trailers b4 stripping them.

Just be careful how you clean a finished model, as that weathered model will be showroom new again. LOL

[scones78]

i sit mine in the laundry sink in some lukewarm water and srray them with a washing up detergentmis in an atomiser bottle,for cleaning around horns,mirrors and other delacate parts i use a selection of the wife's make up brushes,when all sudt ect is removed i dit them on a drain tray and use an old bathtub style showerhead to run clean water to rinse,let them sit and dry,i have used this methos for a few years now and like dan said over time a few small items lost in the plughole but i fixed this problem the same way,works well for me anyhow,
cheers danny

[78KW]

I'm wondering if maybe you made a little wooden platform on which the model could sit during it's "shower", and then plugged the drainhole with a rag, if you could avoid losing parts. Just something simple that raises it off the floor of the tub or sink.