Displaying finished models

[Dann Tier]

Lately I've been curious about WHY people display their finished models the way they do. What prompted me to think about this was people on this forum posting pictures of their models on a shelf with no protection from dust or other dangers. Also the posted pictures of old built models that were dusted-off and cleaned. It would seem to me that if its a hobby you really love, and spend a lot of time, money, and talent doing, wouldn't you want to protect that piece of artwork? When I finish one of my builds, I wait for two weeks before I put it into its own individual display case(this gives the paint, and adhesives time to totally gas-out), then I put them in a display cabinate....most don't keep the dust away. Not trying to upset anyone here, just curious why.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I use individual display cases as well.

Especially for my prize vintage builds.

I've been in this hobby long enough to realize that an unprotected model will not last for long if displayed unprotected.

Oh sure, it may still be intact, but you'll never get it completely cleaned of dust again after a couple of years short of dis-assembling it to give it a thorough cleaning.

It only makes sense to me to spend a couple of extra bucks for a case & you'll never have to worry about dust again.

 

Steve

[Lovefordgalaxie]

Well, I don't really display my models. After they are done, they go back to their boxes, and off to the "finished" cabinet. I just bought display casings for the models I finished when I wasn't into keeping the original boxes, and for my paper airplane models. 

I just have one model I had a special display casing done for, a Revell R.M.S. Titanic. And that's only because she would never fit in the box anymore after built. 

Once in a while, I really enjoy opening the boxes and looking at the old builds. Since they are not in sight all the time, it feels specially good to re encounter the old girls.  

[XJ6]

Nothing I can add, other I agree with Dan 100%....Dust is BAD on a Model

[Ace-Garageguy]

I never finish anything. No problem.    

[russosborne]

I never finish anything. No problem.    

darn, I wanted to be the first to say that. 

Russ

[Modelbuilder Mark]

When I was a kid, not only did I not protect them from dust, some of them even sat in a window seal, so one side of many of my models were sun bleached. For years I wanted a nice display case, but really no one ever comes to my model room except my wife and grandson, so there is no need. They either get their own display case (I buy the $6.99 ones at Hobby Lobby with the coupon so around $4.20 each), or I have them stored in sealed rubber made style containers.

[slusher]

My models are displayed in acrylic wall cases and the other are in AMT cases stacked on my shelves..

 

[peekay]

I now have two large display cabinets but admit that the individual clear cases I used before were even more effective against dust.

I'd rather not see my models at all than see them collecting dust.

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

I bought an IKEA "bookcase" and ten extra glass shelves. I carefully (IKEA "wood" is more like cardboard) measured and drilled additional holes to fit in the glass. There is a little space for dust to creep in but not too much. I enjoy looking at my builds occasionally. -RRR

[modelercarl]

In a way I am fortunate that my slow building pace means that I don't have a large number of models for display.  I have models of the first 4 cars I ever owned that I display in a china cabinet in the dining room, the rest of my models are displayed in acrylic cases I built that have "interference" fit front covers to keep the dust out.  I do open them randomly for and hour or two to allow gases to escape.

[iamsuperdan]

I have a glass cabinet to display things. It has doors, so dust is not an issue at all. Size is however. Can't fit truck trailers in it!

[espo]

I display my built models on an open book case in my "model room". I will use a feather duster and "canned air" to clean and blow away any dust. It seems to have worked for me for years, also allows me to spend that much more on new models and supplies.   

[Tom Geiger]

 I have a few old china cabinets where I keep my finished models. It's not to display them to friends, it's because I enjoy looking at the display!   And it keeps the dust away!

[smhardesty]

I've already purchased a few individual display cases to display my future builds in. I knew I didn't want to fight the dust problem by displaying them in open cabinets.

[samdiego]

Way more cars than enclosed display space

[TonyW]

I build and collect.

Monogram and Airfix are a couple of brands that get my attention, along with a few others. 

  I used to display a revolving selection of boxed kits and model builds in a spare room in a flat I lived in until recently. The displays changed fairly frequently and the models and boxes got a dusting when they went back into storage.  The pictures here don't show too many built models but they do exist, honest, it's just these are the only pictures to hand.

At my new place I have room to build a good sized shed in the garden to display a whole lot more. First I need to build the thing though!

 

Tony.

[Xingu]

Dang it, now I have to find one of those Airfix Chargers.

I bought individual display cases for any model I feel deserves it. I currently have one model in a case.

[dragcarz]

I purchased a couple antique display cases years ago, I need to add another shelf or two.

[Jon Haigwood]

I am having trouble understanding your question. What is this "finishing" thing you mentioned ?

 

[Dann Tier]

Dang it, now I have to find one of those Airfix Chargers.

I bought individual display cases for any model I feel deserves it. I currently have one model in a case.

And i need one of those Airfix James Bond DB5's!!!! -I built the Duaoshua Gold Finger one, but would really like to try the Airfix, or Aurora for that matter

[Dann Tier]

Thanks for all the responses, you guys confirmed what I had expected. Just one more thing to add though, depending on the display cabinate you have, most of them still allow dust in -even with doors. I had a cabinate that I added weather stripping to, to totally seal out the dust, AND I still put my cars in individual cases, because from time to time I take them out to look at them. 

[Roadrunner]

I purchased a couple antique display cases years ago, I need to add another shelf or two.

I had quite a few of those 1320 fuel dragsters (at least that's what I assume they are), but had to sell them all off a few years back.

[Roadrunner]

In the slightly less than three years since I joined the site (Christmas day, 2014), I've not yet finished one single car model. When I do finally finish one, I have an AMT case "at the ready" for it.

[Tom Geiger]

Since everyone is posting pictures here are my display cases.  The photo above is my main case in my home office.  This is where my good builds are kept.  I am planning on adding a second set of shelves between the existing ones.  I paid $100 for this case.  It is huge.

Above is my original display case.  You may have noticed that both of these are old china cabinets.  I didn't pay a dime for this one.  Got it from my sister when she was moving and needed it gone.

The curio cabinet was another freebie.  I found a similar cabinet with dark wood on garbage night. My wife liked it better than this one so she traded me.