Taking care of displayed figures and getting rid of dust

[Patriot666]

I bought a can of compressed air and found it next to useless, yet it seems to be commonly recommended. I must have been using it wrong.

Yeah duster air did nothing for me when I used to have my display out the open. Swiffer dusters works great. Just have to be gentle and careful.

 

[Dreamcazman]

I agree, I use the rocket but blowing dust off does not remove the fine layer of dust, just the top layer. Dust has oil and is sticky, needs to be brushed off.

I wonder if the "dangers" of letting dust accumulate is exaggerated. Does anyone have any first hand accounts of dust ruining a statue? I would think it would take years of neglect for it to make noticeable color fade but maybe Im wrong

I don't think dust itself can damage a statue but rather if you have it an environment where other substances could settle on it. What I mean is areas like the kitchen where oil from cooking goes into the air and then goes all over the statue. I have to clean my house phone once or twice a year cause it has grease all over it. Also, if you smoke, that can really affect certain plastics.

Moral of the story is, don't have your statues on display in cooking areas (or smoke).

As for cleaning, I just use a smallish paint brush with very soft bristles.

 

[Patriot666]

My understanding is that household dust is mostly dead skin that we shed, and it contains small amounts of our skin oil. This oil is what could damage the paint of statues over time.

 

[jkno]

I don't think dust itself can damage a statue but rather if you have it an environment where other substances could settle on it. What I mean is areas like the kitchen where oil from cooking goes into the air and then goes all over the statue. I have to clean my house phone once or twice a year cause it has grease all over it. Also, if you smoke, that can really affect certain plastics.

Moral of the story is, don't have your statues on display in cooking areas (or smoke).

As for cleaning, I just use a smallish paint brush with very soft bristles.

Better do it much more often, nd your mobile phone too.

https://www.phonesoap.com/how-dirty-are-cell-phones/

 

[potato]

My understanding is that household dust is mostly dead skin that we shed, and it contains small amounts of our skin oil. This oil is what could damage the paint of statues over time.

if your statue is glossy type like armored figures, use car wax gently (not polisher) it will form a layer of protection and give it an extra gloss. when you clean it just use slightly damped micro fiber cloths.

if it's matte, and has lots of uneven surface, i suggest put it in enclosed area since it's pretty hard to clean, those brush won't wipe away grease, and if you use cloths, you might damage the statues especially those pointy areas. Plus fibers get caught between the surface much easier.

brushes can leave mirco scratch marks too if you think they are the best way to wipe the dust off.

 

[potato]

Better do it much more often, nd your mobile phone too.

https://www.phonesoap.com/how-dirty-are-cell-phones/

don't get me started with your keyboards. they probably contain more germs than your toilet bowl.

 

[Patriot666]

if your statue is glossy type like armored figures, use car wax gently (not polisher) it will form a layer of protection and give it an extra gloss. when you clean it just use slightly damped micro fiber cloths.

if it's matte, and has lots of uneven surface, i suggest put it in enclosed area since it's pretty hard to clean, those brush won't wipe away grease, and if you use cloths, you might damage the statues especially those pointy areas. Plus fibers get caught between the surface much easier.

brushes can leave mirco scratch marks too if you think they are the best way to wipe the dust off.

I have no problems with dust. That's what display cases are for. Good tips though for those in need.

 

[jkno]

don't get me started with your keyboards. they probably contain more germs than your toilet bowl.

Not mine

 

[FriendlySamurai]

My understanding is that household dust is mostly dead skin that we shed, and it contains small amounts of our skin oil. This oil is what could damage the paint of statues over time.

agreed, but how much time to make a noticeable difference do you think? I just can't recall ever wiping a layer of dust off of anything and thinking, woah, its not the same color anymore. Being slightly obsessive compulsive I'm gonna clean them as often as possible but still I wonder... Also I would think most statues are sprayed with some kind of sealer after painted. I wonder if time for dust to work through the sealer plus sit on and discolor the paint makes the issue practically nill if cleaned just a couple times a year. One of those things I'd test out but I don't think I have the patience lol

 

[potato]

agreed, but how much time to make a noticeable difference do you think? I just can't recall ever wiping a layer of dust off of anything and thinking, woah, its not the same color anymore. Being slightly obsessive compulsive I'm gonna clean them as often as possible but still I wonder... Also I would think most statues are sprayed with some kind of sealer after painted. I wonder if time for dust to work through the sealer plus sit on and discolor the paint makes the issue practically nill if cleaned just a couple times a year. One of those things I'd test out but I don't think I have the patience lol

if you use alcohol based solutions, it might just not look the same colors once you wiped it.

 

[Dreamcazman]

if you use alcohol based solutions, it might just not look the same colors once you wiped it.

Isopropyl alcohol shouldn't bother most plastics, but still avoid if you can.

Definitely DON'T use Acetone!

 

[Patriot666]

I wrote a long post earlier, guess it didn't take. Oh well, not worth repeating.

 

[potato]

Isopropyl alcohol shouldn't bother most plastics, but still avoid if you can.

Definitely DON'T use Acetone!

they do, especially clear coats. also most panel linings can be wiped off with alcohol rub. it's not about the plastic but the type of paint used.

 

[jkno]

I wrote a long post earlier, guess it didn't take. Oh well, not worth repeating.

My earlier attachments were all gone. Maybe forum issues?

 

[Vitus]

I just dip mine in some Luke warm water, good as new

I've washed a few polystone busts and statues in the kitchen sink. No soap just water. They came out fine.

The items arrived so dirty it had to be done.

 

[potato]

I've washed a few polystone busts and statues in the kitchen sink. No soap just water. They came out fine.

The items arrived so dirty it had to be done.

Only if there's no holes around the statue.

 

[Vitus]

Don't worry I used a Q-tip on the ears after