Cleaning paint dust from models?

[PierreR89]

This might be the completly wrong section and the mods can move it to the right section.

Anyone here have a good way to clean of paint dust from built models?
I have a few standing on shelfs in my hobbyroom and because i mostly use spraycans to paint them there are some paintdust from them that will land on the models.
I would move them but i have no other place for them.

For the parts without decals i cleaned them with soap and water and that worked.
But what will happen if i use that on the parts with decals on them?
Will they come loose again or it is no problems at all?
Maybe there is a better method that i dont know about?
Also is there a easy way to remove dust from them without damaging the models?
How do you clean the models you have built?

[espo]

Removing paint overspray is something I have never tried. You might be able to remove most of it with a very mild automotive type spray detailer and a micro fiber towel  For light dusting I use both a feather duster or 1" wide detailer type brush.  With the feather duster you need to be very careful around mirrors or any other fine detail glued to the surface. The brush is one of those cheep Harbor Freight type brushes that cost a buck or two. The key to the brush is very soft bristles about two inches long. 

[NOBLNG]

Try a soft bristle toothbrush? To keep it from happening again, you could place a strip of TP on top of them while spraying. You should have plenty on hand by now, and you can always recycle it.? An ounce of prevention...

Edited September 26, 2020 by NOBLNG

[espo]

Try explaining the strange color of you bottom to the Mrs. LOL 

[slusher]

Wipe with wet car towel or wash cloth and wax it if it scratches....

[peteski]

Is it overspray where the paint dust was still partially moist when landing on the model, and it stuck to the paint, or is is just dry paint dust that just sits on the model?

If it is just dry paint dust then I would use a large soft makeup brush and compressed air to clean it off.

If you want to wash the models wit soap and water that will work too.  If decals are sealed with clear coat, then it would be safe to get the model wet.  If they are not sealed, they will likely be ok if not kept wet for too long, but no guarantees.

[Modlbldr]

I just got some overspray on one of my builds because I had missed a small spot that I should have taped off. I rubbed it with a drop of Meguires Scratch X and a clean old t-shirt and it came right off. Of course the spot that had overspray had been clear coated already and the overspray was less than an hour old. Not sure if it will work the same if you have not clear coated over your decals. Hope this helps.

Later-

[PierreR89]

9 hours ago, peteski said:

Is it overspray where the paint dust was still partially moist when landing on the model, and it stuck to the paint, or is is just dry paint dust that just sits on the model?

If it is just dry paint dust then I would use a large soft makeup brush and compressed air to clean it off.

 

If you want to wash the models wit soap and water that will work too.  If decals are sealed with clear coat, then it would be safe to get the model wet.  If they are not sealed, they will likely be ok if not kept wet for too long, but no guarantees.

Its just dry paintdust that has landed on them and after a while it will not get stuck but it will be harder to remove from them.
I was thinking that i could try the airbrush and use that to blow off the paint dust from them but i dont know if it will have enough pressure to do that.

Some decals are sealed but most of them are not

[peteski]

If the dust is stuck slightly the soft makeup brush should loosen it up, and the compressed air will then blow it off.