Static electricity

[Racersonly]

I’m building a kit that behaves like a dust/hair magnet. Anyone have a fix for this?

[NOBLNG]

I have wiped it down with a used dryer softener sheet.  That helps some. Or you can also buy anti-static brushes I think, although I haven’t tried them. It is annoying when your panel line accent jumps off the brush and onto the surface.?

[gman]

While I wouldn't go out and buy one (at this price) just for model building, I used to have one of these type of things for vinyl records that also happened to work very well to de-static models:

https://www.sonicboommusic.com/products/zerostat-3-anti-static-gun

[jaymcminn]

Tamiya makes an excellent anti-static brush. I use it for cleaning models as well as between paint coats instead of a tack cloth. 

[NOBLNG]

Look on you tube for reviews on one of these?

Edited March 6, 2023 by NOBLNG

[peteski]

This is likely due to very dry air in your workshop (like I have here in the winter).

Some hair dryers have ion generators built-in. It is for dissipating static electricity (so your hair doesn't stand like you have been zapped by million volts). Make sure to check the package mentioned ion generator or "antistatic".  It probably wont cost you more than $20, and you can use it on your hair too.

Fond one of those at your local Walmart and see if blowing it (at its coolest setting) will dissipate the static.  Or maybe wait until the ambient air gets less dry.

[Straightliner59]

13 hours ago, gman said:

While I wouldn't go out and buy one (at this price) just for model building, I used to have one of these type of things for vinyl records that also happened to work very well to de-static models:

https://www.sonicboommusic.com/products/zerostat-3-anti-static-gun

I bought one for my records, then "discovered" that it worked on plastic models, to rid them of static. It has always seemed to work, pretty well!

[chepp]

I had that problem when painting during normal to very dry (low humidity) weather.

Here is what worked for me:

1. Wash with a dishwashing soap and rinse with tap water. If you have hard water like I do, dip the part(s) in fresh distilled water to rinse off the hard water.

2. Let the part(s) air dry. I was using compressed air to speed up drying and get moisture out of tight areas on a body. That combination of low humidity and air blasts gave the body a static charge that attracted dust in what appeared to be a dust-free painting area. The purpose of rinsing with distilled water prevents minerals in the hard water from being deposited on the body when it dries.

[Mike C]

One of these should be good too. A brush for vinyl LP records.

[ctruss53]

Static is usually caused by dry conditions.

I would wash the parts with soapy water and possibly even start using a humidifier.

[89AKurt]

Nothing scientific here, just observations.  I live in AZ which is normally low humidity, it's a dry heat.  I think some plastic is more prone to static charge, don't know why.  The clothes you wear, 100% cotton = no plastic fibers, polyester sweat pants create a static charge better than cotton underwear (Bleachbit for sale).  Shoes vs. bare feet.  Linoleum vs. carpet.  Wood chair vs. steel & plastic.  Nothing like applying superglue and watch a strand lay down on a shiny paint finish, so I have my other hand finger close to the site being worked on, which has seemed to reduce that phenomena.

[Danno]

If you don't pay your electric bill, they'll give you a LOT of static.