Weathering

[Anonymous]

I am new to the hobby and would like to know how you clean a model that is put together. I've noticed that when I put a kit together, Fingerprints are all over it. How do I clean them off so I can wether the peice so they don't show up with weathering.
Thank you,
lytle

[Anonymous]

Lytle-
I had the same problem when I started out modeling trains. Over the years I have become more careful with how I hold a model and how clean my hands are when I start building it. Those two factors alone can minimze the problem you are having, but you'll still want to clean the model before you weather it. I would suggest you use a cotton swab with some rubbing alcohol. If you are quick about it, you can avoid damamging the paint. In fact, if you aren't quick about it, you can end up with some unexpected weathering. (This depends on the model, though. Some manufacturer's paint is impervious to rubbing alcohol, while others are thin and sensitive. I have had good luck on those sensitive models getting a nice sun-faded look with rubbing alcohol.) If you aren't interested in using something that has the potential to damage the paint, use some tap water with a drop of dishwashing liquid (to break the water's surface tension) and a clean rag. Be careful of any grab irons or any loose parts you might snag. Fingerprints are pretty easy to get rid of, but easier to avoid. You might try some disposable latex gloves (I get them at Wal-Mart for $3.00 for a box).
Remember when you weather a model: make it half as dirty as you think it should be, put it down and look at it later. You may find you are closer to being finished than you thought. You can always find an underweathered prototype, but an overweathered one is rare. Good Luck.

Ryan