Cleaning figures

[James Zilvitis]

Cleaning resin figures.

What's the best way? What do you all do with the water or solutions after cleaning up the dust from your resin products? I assume that CANNOT go down the drain even though it's only dust particles right? My thoughts were to use my ultrasonic cleaner but I was told that wasn't needed. Again I'm a newbie so please forgive me. I'm thinking of little things as I go. I have sanded a bunch of my busts in preparation for painting but want to clean them up before I airbrush the primer and go from there. Thanks Jim

 

[Ferris]

Before priming I wash figures with water and soap, using a big brush to reach all areas.

 

[Nap]

Before priming I wash figures with water and soap, using a big brush to reach all areas.

Me too ....never used a ultrasonic cleaner

Nap

 

[Ferris]

To be environment-friendly you could wash the figure with water&soap in a bowl and filter the water (coffee filter) before you dispose it in the sink. Same with dirty acrylic water.
You’ll be a better person than most of use here then... ;-)

I do my resin filing&sanding preferably outside, to keep resin dust out of the house. Better for personal health, less so for the environment, but amounts are tiny.

 

[James Zilvitis]

YEah but you don't wash that down the drain right?

 

[Larsen E. Whipsnade]

Before I wash the parts with soap and water and an old toothbrush I blow the dust off using a small air compressor.I've also used a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust. It works just as well just make sure you hold onto the part so it doesn't get sucked into the vac.
Rick

 

[svt]

YEah but you don't wash that down the drain right?

Wow! The figurine is so small that the volume of soapy water in the sewer, washed from its surface, is equivalent to one molecule of sodium chloride in a barrel of water, which does not in any way affect the properties of the water.
What do you do with the water you wash your hands with or the water that washes off you when you shower? After all, its volume is thousands and even millions of times greater than the volume that you spend on washing the figurine.

 

[NigelR]

I don't have dust from my resin products in any water. I sand any resin products on my desk (wearing a mask), brush off any loose dust with a brush and then vacuum my desk. The resin figures I buy these days rarely need much sanding, just a bit of clean up of a few mould lines. Like Rick says you could use an airbrush if you have some fine dust you can't brush off.

I rarely wash figures as they don't seem to need it. I do wash some aircraft kits, but I always do this before any sanding (ie while they are still on the sprues).

 

[theBaron]

If you're talking about cleaning figures at the start of the process, before sanding, filing, drilling, and other assembly actions, I do as others have mentioned: I use warm water and a de-greaser to remove any mold release agents or other schmutz. I use an old glass baking dish for this. I say "de-greaser" because that's the property we're looking for. Dishwashing liquid generally has de-greasing agents, but it can depend on the brand how effective they are. Check the labels or ads to see. Personally, I use an automotive de-greaser called SuperClean. Just a couple of drops in the water, either way. I use an old toothbrush to scrub the surface gently, then dry the piece with some paper towel and let it air-dry to finish.

I do this with resin, white metal, and styrene.

The stuff on pieces isn't nearly as prevalent as it was when I was younger, but it still doesn't hurt to clean the kit before I start.

Prost!
Brad

 

[James Zilvitis]

Yes okay Thanks Brad but what do you do with that wastewater? I mean it will have some resin in it correct? I have done all the sanding prior to cleaning that's why I'm asking. Again I am a newbie so I want to make sure I don't cause a problem for my landlord or neighbors.

 

[svt]

Believe me, an insignificant amount of resin in the sewer will not create blockages or an environmental disaster. There is a much greater risk of causing a flood by washing off skin and hair particles from yourself in the shower. Some residents manage to flush diapers or menstrual pads down the toilet - this can really cause a flood. )

 

[sd0324]

I'm actually surprised this is a concern to some people. Wow. It's hard not to laugh.


Steve

 

[theBaron]

Yes okay Thanks Brad but what do you do with that wastewater? I mean it will have some resin in it correct? I have done all the sanding prior to cleaning that's why I'm asking. Again I am a newbie so I want to make sure I don't cause a problem for my landlord or neighbors.

It goes down the drain. I don't worry about it.

 

[James Zilvitis]

I'm actually surprised this is a concern to some people. Wow. It's hard not to laugh.


Steve

When you DON'T KNOW you DON'T KNOW....you don't have to be disrespectful about it.

 

[sd0324]

When you DON'T KNOW you DON'T KNOW....you don't have to be disrespectful about it.

Lol.

 

[marco14]

how,euh I have never washed a figure ore bust oeps ,I clean them with alcohol (pure alcohol hé
good to know this too thanks

Mario

 

[Babelfish]

As mentioned above, the amount of dust involved will be miniscule. I wouldn't worry about it.

- Steve

 

[NRG]

When you DON'T KNOW you DON'T KNOW....you don't have to be disrespectful about it.

I agree ….there was absolutely no need to be so rude and aggressive! What a way to encourage new members.
I apologise James ….I can assure you we are not all like this. Most of us on PF are considerate, willing to answer questions and share our experience.
On any forum there’s always a few…….

 

[James Zilvitis]

I agree ….there was absolutely no need to be so rude and aggressive! What a way to encourage new members.
I apologise James ….I can assure you we are not all like this. Most of us on PF are considerate, willing to answer questions and share our experience.
On any forum there’s always a few…….

Yeah I know idiots and jerks are everywhere. Thanks. Like I said when you don't know, you don't know. Thanks for the support. Much appreciated. It certainly didn't call for rudeness.

 

[Wayneb]