How to clean plastic models of dust accumulation

[Rauhbatz]

Greetings all...I have a number of semi-classic aircraft models for which I need to remove accumulated dust....any good ideas on how to do with impacting the models and decals?

They are late 1980s/early 1990s kit builds...the product of cold Ohio winters before we moved to Atlanta

[Snake45]

Been there, done that. First, try dusting them with a fat, soft paintbrush.

If there's still a little "film" on them after that (as can happen from moisture in the air), put some dishwashing soap in a pan of warm water. Use your soft brush to apply this to the surfaces, and rinse them immediately with running warm water. They should air-dry to look good as new. I've never had this routine damage any decals, paint, or glue. Make sure you have a screen in your sink to prevent the loss of any small parts that can break off in the process. Don't ask me how I know this!

Good luck with your restoration project!

[Rauhbatz]

Thanks! Will get one of those when I next stop by Ace Hardware!

[Snake45]

I was thinking more of the kind of thing you might buy at Hobby Lobby or Michael's, or an art store, or even in the cosmetics aisle, but I suppose it's possible that Ace Hardware might have something suitable. Good luck!

[shrike]

Definitely HobbyLobby or an art supply store. Best is a #3 or #4 fan brush.

[Rauhbatz]

Thanks all for the great tips...

I did get a brush with some warm water..was amazed how much gunk came off the models. No impact to decals!

[Snake45]

Most decals are quite tenacious. Removal is often difficult, sometimes impossible without damaging what's underneath them.

[bdk]

In the dryer climates, I've seen little pans of water inside museum cabinets with models to keep the decals from flaking off. So maybe a cabinet would keep the dust off but might create other problems?

[k5083]

I use a camera lens blower-brush to clean mine. It's a fat, soft brush as described above, but on a hollow shaft attached to a rubber bulb that you can squeeze to give a gentle puff of air to help out. Designed to remove slightly stubborn dust with as little contact as possible to optical coatings. You don't see as many of these brushes are now because, I guess, optical coatings are tougher and/or people don't care for their lenses the way they used to.

August