Quote:
Originally Posted by astrochex
Does anyone have tips for cleaning models (applicator, solution)?
I have a 1:18 scale 1967 Eagle Gurney-Weslake models that has a dusty sheen on it. It does not come off easy. I want to bring the colors back to the glory they deserve.
Thanks.
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The Gurney Eagle. One of the most beautiful F1 cars ever, with a wonderful history to match it's good looks.
I have a bunch of 1/18 cars, and every now and then I’ll spend a rainy afternoon listening to podcasts or music and detail as many as I can before life gets in the way again.
Here’s how I do it: I built a little platform that has a lazy-susan bearing on it so I don’t have to handle the car much. I take the grey mini duster and CAREFULLY give the entire car a light dusting. It’s easy to snag a mirror or a windshield-wiper so the lightest touch is the key. It's surprisingly effective at getting the majority of the dust off. Then I use artist brushes I found at IKEA to thoroughly dust all the nooks and crannies, inside and out.
Those pink sticks are from a Mr Detailer paint kit I once bought to fix some rock chips on my 911, I use them to get into the tiniest spaces; I may even put a very small drop of water on the brush to remove stubborn dust or grime.
After I’m satisfied that the car is clean and dust free, I decant a few drops of Speed Shine into a small plastic cap and with a dedicated sponge stick I give all the body panels a thin, light coating, and with a small square of blue paper shop towel I dry and polish. Crumpling the shop towel a few times makes it even softer.
(I found the sponge sticks in a bunch of stuff that someone was throwing out...I am sure a good quality Q-tip would work just as well.)
Same again on the body parts with the Spray on Wax.
Same again on the clear parts with the Plastic detailer.
Finally, a fresh Q tip is used to polish the chrome.
I use the white gloves to return the car to the display. The readers are a 3x magnification that allow me to actually see the details that need to be cleaned.
This method takes about 10 to 30 minutes a car, and the process is very satisfying if you treat the time spent as a chance to stop the world for a while and just enjoy the afternoon and admire the cars.
