Washing the kit

[Peej]

I have seen on various videos modellers washing the kit before building. I was wondering if this is nessecary. If it does enhance the finish then I may start doing this. Does anyone here wash the kit?

[PaulTRose]

always!

it gets rid of any release agent thats applied to the mould

dont know if it actually does any good but it certainly does no harm lol

i have had a few paint issues in the past that ive put down to surface contaminants so started washing the sprues in warm water, a little light scrubbing with an old tooth bush.....not had any probs since

[Guest]

washing is a good idea and if the model is big and it isnt washed lord the paint wont stick proper

[Guest]

Always wash

Leave to air dry

Make sure water isn't too hot...warped plastic...oh no!!!

[Alan 45]

I always wash the kit , don't know if it give a better finish but the paint goes on better

[Guest]

Yep I wash the parts on the sprues in lukewarm water and allow them to dry naturally.

scott

[john i am]

To be honest I don't wash all my kits to me it it depends on what it is 1/72 scale hardly ever. I have washed a few 1/48 scale planes but what I normally do now is once the model is built I wipe it down with some panel prep cloths from the automotive industry which work really well I feel followed by a tack cloth i don't normally bother with armour builds to be honest everyone as their own little way of doing things I suppose each to their own as they say

[BBdave]

I sometimes have a bath before building a kit does that count?

Dave

[eddiesolo]

The kits nowadays seem to be great at just getting stuck in, however, old habits and all that; I still give everything a good wash in warm soapy water and then rinse well.

Si

[eddiesolo]

I sometimes have a bath before building a kit does that count?Dave

Other way around for me, as I need to get rid of glue, paint model kit parts that have stuck all over me...

Si

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Never washed a kit, never had a problem, I know of others that commission build that have never washed a kit either.

Adrian

[Ian M]

I wash resin kits. Plastic ones only if I can feel they need it.

I wipe all of them over with IPA before I paint them though.

Ian M

[Guest]

The principle I follow (in general life) is if something might cause a problem, eliminate it at the start, so when difficulties occur later there is one less suspect to consider. I also like Murphy's law, this version: "If something can go wrong, someday it will go wrong". So I always wash kit parts.

[BarryW]

I also dont wash as such but like Ian I always wipe over with ipa before painting. All kinds of gunk gets onto a model during the build not just release agent and finger grease. Glue residue and dust from sanding being the main things.

[Vaughan]

I've never washed my kits and have never had any problems. I do too wipe the model down with IPA before painting this is to remove any grease from handling it during the build process.