How to Clean a Scale Model

Scale models can have tiny nooks and crannies that are difficult to clean

Scale models of all kinds make for excellent conversation pieces and items of interest in displays ranging from living room decorations to museum models. Like all objects, however, scale models gather dirt and dust while their tiny nooks and crannies, fragile parts and varied types of materials can make them challenging to clean. Clean your model using a process designed to care for its many component parts individually. 

Things You'll Need

• Feather duster (or similar style duster)
• Canned air
• Computer keyboard vacuum
• Damp rag
• Cotton swabs
• Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

1. Dust the model carefully. Shake or wiggle the duster in a slight back-and-forth motion and gently move just its tips over the surface of the model. Allow the tips of the duster to move into the larger crevices. Run the duster over the entire surface of the model two or three times to remove dust.

2. Use air pressure to remove stubborn dust. Blow air into these areas before following up with the duster. Alternately, use canned air. If dusting with canned air in fragile areas, hold the can a couple feet back from the model to minimize the air velocity.

3. Shake dust from cloth portions of the model, if applicable. Gently tap or flick the cloth areas with your finger to make them shake and allow the dust to fall off. Do this several times. Accompany this action with blowing on the cloth or spraying it with canned air.

4. Vacuum nooks and crannies in the model using a computer keyboard vacuum. If the vacuum has a soft duster attachment, use this for the most gentle effective cleaning.

5. Wash nonporous, water-resistant areas with a damp, not dripping, cloth. Wrap a corner of the cloth around your finger to get into tight areas.

6. Clean dirty, cramped areas with a cotton swab. Soak the swab in water or rubbing alcohol. Roll the tip over a paper towel to remove excess moisture before using. Rub or spin the tip of the swab through and around each area you clean. (Note: test alcohol cleaning on an inconspicuous area to make sure it won't react with dyes or paints on your model.)

7. Detach any parts that are removable to clean them by themselves and clean beneath them and around the points where they connect to the rest of the model.

References

• "The Basics of Scale Modeling;" Lawrence Hansen; 2005