How to Clean Model Cars

Model cars may not be as popular a hobby as they once were, but that's not stopping enthusiasts from snatching up the newest designs as they become available. With the resurgence of miniatures and tabletop games, however, model cars and airplanes are making a comeback. It's important, both when you're first building them and after they're completed that you clean your model cars properly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Model Car
• Water
• CFC-free dust cleaner
• Pipe cleaners

1. Place the elements of your model cars in a bath of warm water (not hot) and a light detergent. Warm water helps break up any flux or residue left over during casting. Such residue is common in both plastic/resin and metal castings.

2. Brush your model gently with a toothbrush in order to remove debris from harder to reach sections within the detailing. Use soft bristles because they will more easily fit into the spaces than a hard bristled brush will.

3. Clean the plastic used for the windshield and windows gently, particularly if you're trying to remove remnants of glue or binding. Epoxies and glues are notorious for streaking clear plastic, so always wipe toward the edge of the plastic, not inward toward the rest of the windshield.

4. Use a keyboard duster type product to clean a finished model. This will remove dust from the model without disrupting any of the detailing. Be sure to hold the hood of your model car open if you're going to clean out the engine compartment, however. If you just use the keyboard duster without holding the hood there is the danger it could snap off.

5. Use a slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe down your model when it has been soiled by a liquid. The lint-free cloth will help prevent the possibility of wearing down the varnish, as well as limit the amount of dust that builds up when paper towels disintegrate.

6. Find cleaning products and accessories at ModelCars.com (see Resources below). Most of the hobby tools you need are readily available.

Tips & Warnings

• Use very little or only a very light detergent when you clean your models in order to ensure that you don't end up leaving residue behind. Such residue will ruin paintbrushes or prevent good adhesion of glue when you try to join parts of your model.
• Never clean your model cars with water if they include decals that have not been sealed. If you use water on decals you run the risk of loosening them. Seal your model cars with a matte varnish in order to waterproof them.

Resources

• Model Cars and Accessories from ModelCars.com