Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I've been doing a lot of conversion work lately which got me thinking that plastic dust could stick to the crevices of the model without you knowing. I do try to wipe it off and use my nales to scratch it off. Also my hands/fingers get a little damp if I'm at it for a while, am I just strange or does anyone else have this problem?

The point of this thread is that I'm going to clean my models before painting them in the hope I get a visibly better paint job. Do you think I'm on to something?

Cheers.

Yeah man. I tend to blow at the parts with my mouth as I'm doing the sanding/mold line removing which usualy does the trick. One good blow should do it. I sometimes use a mini dremel so that gets very dusty.

However the main thing I do is use a wet hobby file when doing the filing. This will stop the dust in its track for the most part.
If I have models sitting on the shelf for too long, they will gather environment dust. So I use canned air(used for electrics cleaning etc.) to give them a go over before I paint/Prime to ensure any unwanted residue is gone. You could use that method as well in the cleaning process.

Not sure if that helps you and if I understood your problem correctly.

I use a dry soft bristled toothbrush when I'm removing mould lines to get rid of any dust/flakes that blowing on it doesn't dislodge, then after I've assembled the mini I wash it with a little but of dish soap in lukewarm water and with the same toothbrush, then leave to air dry on some kitchen roll before I prime. It's probably overkill, but it makes me feel like I've prepared it best I can.

I tend to take a wet brush to my models if there's any noticeable dust on them.

I don't do particularly heavy conversions, but I've never cleaned a non-resin miniature in 20+ years and haven't found a reason to start. I do have a large cheap paintbrush used for brushing off old minis - and I'll strip/clean minis I get from eBay but that's about it.

Ashaar wrote:
I use a dry soft bristled toothbrush when I'm removing mould lines to get rid of any dust/flakes that blowing on it doesn't dislodge, then after I've assembled the mini I wash it with a little but of dish soap in lukewarm water and with the same toothbrush, then leave to air dry on some kitchen roll before I prime. It's probably overkill, but it makes me feel like I've prepared it best I can.

feth! I didn't mention I'm going to try your method out. Heres me saying I'M GOING TO CLEAN MY MODELS GUYS! Like I've had some sort of revelation lol. I bet a lot of members are thinking "good for you mate" shaking there heads. My eyes are stinging, I'm off to bed.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Argive wrote:
Yeah man.

Not sure if that helps you and if I understood your problem correctly.

Lol read my other comment.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
feth!

Macabre Galatic wrote:
I've been doing a lot of conversion work lately which got me thinking that plastic dust could stick to the crevices of the model without you knowing. I do try to wipe it off and use my nales to scratch it off. Also my hands/fingers get a little damp if I'm at it for a while, am I just strange or does anyone else have this problem?

The point of this thread is that I'm going to clean my models before painting them in the hope I get a visibly better paint job. Do you think I'm on to something?

Cheers.

Resin yes, rest no. Never felt I need to.

I find that a bit of water helps during cleaning mould lines off, but more because it tends to lose some of that lighter zone that you've scraped off, which actually makes it easier to see proper "raised" edges as opposed to just an edge between regular and scraped plastic.

You could always give them a blast of compressed air before priming. I did that with some particularly dusty models of mine recently and it worked a treat.

I've heard that you're supposed to clean metal models before priming them. However, for me at least, it's never made a single iota of difference.

 TheFleshIsWeak wrote:
I've heard that you're supposed to clean metal models before priming them. However, for me at least, it's never made a single iota of difference.

I've never heard this, what I do remember is your not supposed to
blow the filings from old lead mini's.

I have also had couple of white metal mini that still have release agent still caked on around feet and on the base tab

 TheFleshIsWeak wrote:
I've heard that you're supposed to clean metal models before priming them. However, for me at least, it's never made a single iota of difference.

In general my experiences are:

Metal:
You do not have to clean them most times and they should prime without issue. That said it never hurts and sometimes you can get a little release agent still on the model. This can vary company to company, eg GW you tend to never see it, but I've seen some on Warmachine and Reaper as well as some other smaller firms. So in general if its metal a quick wash won't hurt and might even help avoid problems later on.

Resin:
There are loads of different types but in general if its resin wash it. You can someitmes even feel the slippery release agent on the model, but regardless of if you can or can't, if its resin wash it.

Plastic:
shouldn't need washing at all.

Hybrid/odd materials.
Case by case, eg Reaper Bones material doesn't need washing at all and should even take paint straight onto it, though most still prime it



Washing method
1) Warm water (not boiling) mixed with a very tiny drop of dishwashing liquid.

2) Soak the model in the water and then, using an old worn toothbrush, simply scrub it clean. The brush is there purely for agitation you're not scrubbing super hard. I tend to do it whilst under some flowing water so that any residue gets washed straight off.

3) Rinse the model off and then leave to dry.

Note washing should be done before assembly, since the release agents which mess with primer can also mess with glues.



For getting dust off a model I find it varies on the layer of dust. If its only light then a make up brush (new - ergo not used for make up) can be easily brushed over the model and it will dislodge most of the dust without any issue. Compressed air can also work, but if you're going to use it be sure to use pure air/computer use air rather than regular. Since regular compressed air often contains chemicals rather than pure air and thus you can get residue spat out by the can - which then goes onto your model. If its very thick layers that have built up over time a simple warm water and scrub bath can help dislodge the dust if the earlier methods prove ineffective.

If the model is painted then a wash shouldn't hurt it if you've varnished it well, if you haven't or it has a grassy base etc.. then try to stick to the brush/air approach. Of course keeping models in a case or display cabinet to reduce dust build up is a big help.

Nah. Not plastic. Anything I shave or file off during conversions usually just dissapears anyway so..

I give them all a rinse with warm soapy water...maybe it is habit now, but I have not had issues with primer not attaching correctly in that time. I did have issues when I first used resin from FW and from some of the older metal minis but since I started the washing, no issues.

It really does not take all that much time to dry if you give them a good rinse and turn the model upside down to let any pooled water drip off.

Cheers,

CB

Sometimes when I open plastic kits I notice white residue which I assume is mold release agent. After rinsing they’re noticeably “grippier” to me but I’m positive my fingers add more grease during assembly. I always intend to wash them again before priming but I always seem to get impatient and never do.

Really how/when/with what you spray prime is more important. A bad spraying job will do far more damage to your paint job than not washing your models.