"Plastic Models (PSC, Zvezda) Washing" Topic

Should these always be washed before painting?

I always do. Mold release agents may not be visually apparent but they are always there. With all the effort one puts into painting it seems odd that anyone would skip this simple step.

Always. Warm water with a detergent (hot water helps with bend barrels).

Then wash with fresh water to remove detergent (I know it is overkill but white glue sticks better then, I swear).

White glue?

Not thinking white glue is what you need to glue these together!

Damon.

Thin white glue is actually a good undercoat for soft plastic figures.

Have dozens of Zvezdas and haven't washed any of them … I do prime in Humbrol enamel, however (so that will easily cope with any residue – supposing there is any – and key into the plastic happily enough)

I usually spray them matt varnish and have never had the slightest problem … they are very durable.

I have never had a bent barrel on a Zvezda 1:100 anyway (the plastic does not behave like 'soft' plastic at all) ..

Phil

The plastic used in the Zvezda 1/100 vehicles is ABS, not the same as the squishy plastic used in figures like the old Airfix stuff.

BTW, I never wash the plastic. Have been a plastic modeler for 30 years, though I do use enamel based primers. I have been told this has an impact. But honestly before I even did this, I had only ONE instance of "fisheye" when painting (an off-brand MiG-31 in 1/72 scale)

Damon.

The recommended OCD approach if you're going to paint with acrylics is to wash in warm water and detergent ( washing up liquid ) whilst on the frames.
Once assembled and ready to paint go over again with a similar mix and rinse or with isopropyl alcohol.
I usually rinse in the washing up bowl prior to painting.
Make sure it's completely dry before you paint.

Spraying is a bit more forgiving than daubing.
And of course as has been implied, the thinners in enamels will cope with fingerprints etc better than water.

I have built many, many, many plastic models and I have never washed them. Life is too short, and the time I can commit to hobbies is limited. Save yourself time and don't worry about it :-)

I agree, I've built plastic models since the 1960s. I never even heard of washing them until fairly recently. Needless to say I've never done it and I have never had a problem.

I always, always wash them. Even a 10% gain in adhesion is worth a little time when each box arrives.

I have one of the ABS zvezda models (a German 2cm AA gun), but my other things (Soviet 45mm and 122mm guns, 8.8cm flak, Blitz trucks and SdKfz 222s) are definitely PS. I think it was only early-production stuff that was ABS.

I prime them in liquitex black gesso, by the way. Shrinks down considerably when it drys, very good at preserving detail. Only detail I have lost was that the engraved "Opel" on the Opel Blitz truck became illegible.