Model Clean Up

[homechild]

When you’re cleaning your kits prior to building what’s the technique, it’s something I’ve never done.
Is it a dip in soapy water, a soak, a wipe?
Is it the same for resin? I imagine this would be more porous so I’m thinking this may hold more moisture than a plastic kit.

What’s your pre-build routine when it comes to clean up?

[Guest]

For regular parts, I take them out of the box and start building.

I read there used to be a need to clean parts beforehand due to mould release agents, but that isn't an issue with modern kits. You'll get more contamination on it from your hands during building than it'll ever have from the box, so a wipe down before paint or primer might be needed, but that's all.

For that I tend to use isopropyl alcohol (ipa). Two cloths, one wet, one dry. Wipe on, wipe off.

I believe resin needs more cleaning before you work with it but I very rarely use it so will let someone else answer.

Metal / photo etch parts get a clean with ipa before I do anything with them.

[homechild]

For regular parts, I take them out of the box and start building.

I read there used to be a need to clean parts beforehand due to mould release agents, but that isn't an issue with modern kits. You'll get more contamination on it from your hands during building than it'll ever have from the box, so a wipe down before paint or primer might be needed, but that's all.

Thanks. I’ve never felt that I needed to clean them up either but other people always do it so just wondered what the general feeling was.

Would be good to know about resin parts from others though.

[Jim R]

Hi Drew
Like Andy I don't wash/clean plastic or resin parts on the sprue. Photo etch parts I do clean with a fibre glass pen before cutting from the fret. Before painting/priming I clean with Lighter Fluid - just pour some into a container and brush over with a soft brush. It degreases and evaporates quickly.
Jim

[Tim Marlow]

I wash both before, with parts on the sprue, and after build is complete. In both cases I use a sink full of water with a few drops of dish soap. I then go over all surfaces with a soft brush while the kit is immersed in water. When this is done I rinse them under running cold water. However, you probably don't need to do this pre-build with modern kits, but after build is essential to get rid of finger grease and build swarf. I would add the caveat that I always have the plug in while I do this. Lost parts to the carpet monster are one thing, but loosing them to the Kraken that lives down the plug hole is avoidable

[Guest]

I’ve only ever washed sprues when there was obvious mould release agent (oily stuff) on them, using water plus washing-up liquid. This has been exceedingly rare — probably no more than two or three kits over three decades of serious modelbuilding. Never had any problems with paint not sticking on uncleaned models otherwise.

[spanner570]

.....if you do clean the plastic sprues in soapy water, put them in the spin drier for 10 minutes(Low heat of course)

This saves having to put them out on the washing line to dry.

Lou Scannon.

[PaulTRose]

on the sprue, warm water, old soft tooth brush, air dry

[Tarps]

Pleased I found this thread as I was just about to ask the question:rolling: this helps me a lot.

[Guest]

.....if you do clean the plastic sprues in soapy water, put them in the spin drier for 10 minutes(Low heat of course)
This saves having to put them out on the washing line to dry.
Lou Scannon.

No spin drier, a windy day ... sprue 3 ended up two neighbours down ...

Orsen Cart

[stona]

I don't clean regular polystyrene kits anymore and haven't done for years. It seems entirely unnecessary to me and makes no difference to the end result. On the dozens of unwashed kits I have built I have not once had any issue during construction or painting.

Resin? Yes I do clean resin kits, because I have had issues, not so much in sticking them together as much as getting stuff to stick to them. I do the soap and water routine followed by a wipe with IPA (where possible).

[Dave Ward]

It's a matter of routine - I always wash the sprues in lukewarm soapy water, rinse in clean water & air dry - it's probably not necessary, but I always do it. I don't tend to wash the assembled model before painting, - I don't have very oily hands!
Dave

[minitnkr]

Too lazy to. PaulE

[BarryW]

I never do it. Better to just wipe the plastic with ipa before painting. Why wash at the start when it will just get finger grease and sanding rubble all over it.

[David Lovell]

I'm with Paul never have never will and come on guys dam waste of pale ale if you ask me.