Maintenance

[cfesmire]

Our models don't need the kind of maintenance that a real vehicle would like changing oil and tire rotation. But they can get awfully grimy looking, especially if they are left out 'to the elements'.
I have most of my smaller vehicles in a cabinet I put a glass front on, but even they manage to get a bit dusty from time to time. And the ones that sit out are absolutely atrocious. I try to keep up with them with a long soft bristle paint brush, carefully dusting each one. These 200+ models can eat up some serious time if I do a thorough job cleaning, particularly the trucks with mirrors, exhaust stacks etc. to clean around.
Aside from leaving them in the box they came in, how do all of you care for your models?

[Alan]

For me, I have a soft-bristle paint brush for dusting as well. If they get grimy, then I would used cotton-buds and wax furniture polish. ;D

[Lee]

Ah, the age old problem since the first model was made. How to preserve it so it looks as good tomorrow as it does today. Two ideas come to mind, both being somewhat impractical.

1. Vacuum sealing the model in a clear container. It not only keeps the dust off, no oxygen, no oxidation. keeping the paint looking new.

2. Casting the model in a clear plastic block. You could then stack the blocks creating more display. ;D The down side is the wheels won't roll anymore.

Or you can do like the rest of us - grumble and clean.

[cfesmire]

Cast in clear resin eh? An interesting gift idea. The grumble and clean part is what my better half would like to see me do more of.

[BillC]

Painting plastic models will cut down on dust accumulation. Bare plastic has a slight static charge that attracts dust. You can also apply gloss or matte finishes.

[Eric]

cfesmire said:

Cast in clear resin eh? An interesting gift idea.

Not entirely on topic, I know, but Roskopf actually did cast models of their 6x6 and 8x8 MAN military trucks in clear resin in the 1980s. These were then used as promotionals / give-aways by MAN.

[Eric]

Back to the original topic of this thread.. cleaning I use a soft-bristle paint brush for dusting as well. For the models that need more thorough cleaning I use 98% alcohol and Q-tips and to get that factory-fresh shine back I use Bare-Metal's plastic polish.