discussion 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.

 

[Alan 45]

My ignorance is showing again! What's IPA?

 

[Dave W]

My ignorance is showing again! What's IPA?[/quoteI don't wash the kit before assembly.I do however degrease the model by giving it a good wipe over with IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) before painting.

 

[Alan 45]

Thanks dave I'll get some it's got to be easier and quicker than washing and leaving to dry

 

[john i am]

Thanks dave I'll get some it's got to be easier and quicker than washing and leaving to dry

You could always use the dishwasher Alan if you can't get your IPA

 

[stona]

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

Very similar here.

I once had some resin (and I can't remember from where) that simply could not be properly cleaned. This was nothing to do with a release agent but rather the rein itself. I chucked it in the end ):

Cheers

Steve