Cleaning models

[DarkShadow73]

This has been probably been asked before but I am wondering what is the best way to clean Technic models of dust, etc. Used to be I'd drop them in the sink if they fit, otherwise I'd do one end then the other, put a bit of dish soap in and then hose them down with the sprayer and set them on my foyer area tile to drip-dry or towel off what I could. During the warmer months I'd set them on my garage floor or driveway and put the hose on gentle spray (I live in Michigan so about 6 months out of year I can't do this).

However, since the advent of PF motors, battery boxes, etc, this method isn't going to work obviously, and a lot of models would require a lot of dismantling to even remove PF elements. I tried canned air, but it just doesn't do the job as well as soaking and spraying.

What do you all do with cleaning your models?

Thanks in advance, Eric

[Carsten Svendsen]

Just use an air compressor. It'll take the worst dust. Then you might need a cloth to clean it with, or maybe some of this

[allanp]

If you don't have compressed air I have found these work surprisingly well.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/JML-V1357-Microfibre-Super-Mitt/dp/B000L3PYT8/ref=cm_rdp_product

[DLuders]

You could use the Brick Duster by Artifex Creations (

) (available on these eBay auctions):

Edited February 2, 2013 by DLuders

[750ACE]

I own a dremel I never thought to use a brush system like that. What I wonder is how to remove scratches from bricks. When I was a kid I never sorted my parts. Now that I display some model team sets they show some banged up pieces especially the windows.

[allanp]

Would probably need alot of hard work (the dremel might help) with a polishing/cutting compound like t-cut, haven't tried it myself tho. Probably best to just replace them using bricklink.

Edited February 2, 2013 by allanp

[DLuders]

The Artifex Creation

shows how the Brick Duster brushes can buff-out scratches in the Lego ABS plastic tiles.

[750ACE]

The Artifex Creation

shows how the Brick Duster brushes can buff-out scratches in the Lego ABS plastic tiles.

It would have helped if I watched the whole video the first time, lol. Man I had the 6989! Brings back memories.

[dr_spock]

A camera lens dust blower like the Giotto Rocket-Air works. Also a woman's makeup blush brush.

Picture 6446 by dr_spock_888, on Flickr

[Paul B Technic]

I just use a small paint brush and some compressed air, I think some dust adds character to a set.

[DLuders]

I think some dust adds character to a set.

[The_Skirrid]

For transparency scratches I always use Brasso with a microfibre cloth, rescued some Classic Space trans-blue parts very well. No idea what this is for our continental cousins though...

[Paul202]

You could use duster gas, or keyboard gas. It is the compressed "air" used to clean electronics. It's easier to use than an air compressor.

[rriggs]

Use a combination of an air duster can, a small soft paintbrush and a feather duster. The key is to dust them before the dust becomes ingrained because until then no water or scrubbing is needed. I always keep the door to the room where my LEGO is closed which makes a huge difference in dust build up.

Cheers

Rog

[DarkShadow73]

If you don't have compressed air I have found these work surprisingly well.

http://www.amazon.co...=cm_rdp_product

Found it on the USA Amazon website. It might work ok with newer studless models, but for the older studded models, I just can't see it getting in between the studs. Might be worth a try though, I don't have an air compressor, no real need for one, got too small a garage to any real work on my car.

Thanks for the input to all...

I just use a small paint brush and some compressed air, I think some dust adds character to a set.

I'm kind of a clean freak and it extends to my massive Lego collection. I tried the compressed air route for keyboards and such, didn't work real great. Might get a small paint brush though.

[skylinedan]

A camera lens dust blower like the Giotto Rocket-Air works. Also a woman's makeup blush brush.

Picture 6446 by dr_spock_888, on Flickr

A camera lens dust blower like the Giotto Rocket-Air works. Also a woman's makeup blush brush.

Picture 6446 by dr_spock_888, on Flickr

LOL, funny you say that, I bought a make up brush just for this a while back works really good too, but air will do a good job also if you have it, which I do.

Dan

[DarkShadow73]

LOL, funny you say that, I bought a make up brush just for this a while back works really good too, but air will do a good job also if you have it, which I do.

Dan

I'd feel pretty funny about going down a woman's makeup aisle...

[jadedomg]

I bought a electric toothbrush at the dollar store, the end is circular and it spins so its great on dust that gets into the liftarms.

[dr_spock]

I'd feel pretty funny about going down a woman's makeup aisle...

I brought my makeup brush at a dollar store. It was a little weird but once you've done it, it is not that bad. If anyone asks, just say your girlfriend sent you out shopping for one.

[nychase]

Call me crazy....but since the set is technic, and your name is TechnicFreak...and the set is THAT dusty, then isn't it time you take it apart, clean the parts, and then enjoy rebuilding it?

When I have a set thats too dusty it gets taken apart and then rebuilt...although most times a new model replaces it.

Nothing, and I mean nothing works better than some dishsoap and some water with the occasional use of a toothbrush for bricks (Im looking at you 8880).

Edited February 4, 2013 by nychase

[Paul Boratko]

Studless models most definitely have the advantage here in ease of cleaning...

[therealjustin]

I use a dusting brush I found at a dollar store. It works great, but it does need a good wash every now and again. For the tight spaces I use a can of compressed air.

[allanp]

Found it on the USA Amazon website. It might work ok with newer studless models, but for the older studded models, I just can't see it getting in between the studs. Might be worth a try though, I don't have an air compressor, no real need for one, got too small a garage to any real work on my car.

Thanks for the input to all...

I'm kind of a clean freak and it extends to my massive Lego collection. I tried the compressed air route for keyboards and such, didn't work real great. Might get a small paint brush though.

Yeah, they are not great for studded models.

For me, best solution: you just can't beat taking them completely apart and washing in luke warm (any hotter than luke warm is not a good idea, believe me!) soapy water using a tooth brush, and cleaning any electrical parts by hand. Dry the parts in a towel then leave to air dry in a box for a few days to prevent dust. Then re-wasking using an oxyclean type product and redrying. I think the drying steps are important as some plastics seems to swell a tiny bit, could be wrong tho. It's alot of work but 20+ year old sets look brand spanking new.

Most practical and easiest solution with pretty good results seems to be the brick dusters mentioned by DLuders. If I had any sets/MOCs built for long I would seriously consider buying those.

Cheapest solution, micro fiber mit for a slight improvement. If used regulary on a new build they might give better results, thought it was worth a mention but on second thoughts probably only worth trying if you happen to already have one.

[DarkShadow73]

Yeah, they are not great for studded models.

For me, best solution: you just can't beat taking them completely apart and washing in luke warm (any hotter than luke warm is not a good idea, believe me!) soapy water using a tooth brush, and cleaning any electrical parts by hand. Dry the parts in a towel then leave to air dry in a box for a few days to prevent dust. Then re-wasking using an oxyclean type product and redrying. I think the drying steps are important as some plastics seems to swell a tiny bit, could be wrong tho. It's alot of work but 20+ year old sets look brand spanking new.

Most practical and easiest solution with pretty good results seems to be the brick dusters mentioned by DLuders. If I had any sets/MOCs built for long I would seriously consider buying those.

Cheapest solution, micro fiber mit for a slight improvement. If used regulary on a new build they might give better results, thought it was worth a mention but on second thoughts probably only worth trying if you happen to already have one.

I just hate the thought of taking them all apart, I've got a whole list on new ones I want to put together...you do have a good idea though, just wish PF elements on most are impossible to remove, mainly the motors which are for the most part way inside...battery boxes usually aren't too much of a problem to just remove with minor disassembly...

Studless models most definitely have the advantage here in ease of cleaning...

Agreed there, most of the time I can just wipe them down, but for those elements way inside they need a good shot of water spray...used to be when I had more time on my hands I would take models completely apart and put all the parts in my dual kitchen sink on one side in Dawn soap and then I would grab handfuls and rinse them and put them on a couple large tupperware like lids and let them air dry...made the stupid mistake once with an Exploriens set (way back before I got into Technic) and I thought I had all the parts around the stopper and I didn't...and once they go down the drain, well that's about it...

I know I mentioned the outside hose in the warmer months in Michigan...I'd put a 2x4" across the end of the garage floor to catch any parts that came off...very effective, but not feasible in the winter of course...

Edited February 4, 2013 by TechnicFreak

[kieran]

I use a compressor and a paint brush, small one 1/2" with soft bristles (no scratches). I start off with a good blast right into the inner workings and then brush off the surface bits. on old sets that have been built for a while, I take them apart and where necessary wash the parts before a good dry and re-assembly.