"Hard Plastic - is Washing Necessary" Topic

About to assemble a few Perry Cuirassiers. Do I need to wash the plastic first to remove the releasing agent or does that only apply to soft plastic figs?

Thanks!

Pete

No. I've literally assembled thousands of them and I have never washed them.

Depending on the primer you use, it can be helpful, but definitely not required.

I've been building styrene plastic models now for 50 years. I have never primed or washed any of them and I happen to have the first model I ever built and the paint is perfectly intact.

Doesn't hurt!

No, and there is a risk you'll damage (or worse, lose them down the sink) any small parts.

Never washed plastic figures from any of the main manufacturers, Perry, WGF, Victrix or Warlord. Never had any issues.
I don't wash model kits either.

Never done so, but they do say that you should do so.

If you are afraid of losing small parts, wash while the parts are still in sprues.

Never have, never had any problem using acrylic primer & paints

I wash everything. Oils from assembly. I just want the best potential primer bond I can get.

I'm with everyone else-- I've never washed any plastic models. I rarely wash resin stuff, either,although that has bitten me a few times…

Thanks for all the responses! Think I'll just add primer and go from there. :)

The mold release/lubricant used for styrene molding is water soluble. The amounts used with modern molding methods are far less than back in the old days.

I have been a plastic modeler since the 50's and the progression of technology has been huge. Suffice it to say that, today, primers and water based paints will mix with any remaining release on styrene (this NOT the case with vinyl, i.e. "soft plastic" figures).

It does no harm, and may provide some benefit, to wash sprues in warm, soapy water though. The way to do that is to simply immerse them in the sink or dishwashing tub and move them around a bit, then rinse. I wash all mine. If you do, will notice that the sprues are much more shiny before than after.

When I was modeling, I was constantly washing my work to get rid of dust before priming. Priming provided two things then as it does now. Priming provide a uniform finish that allows you to spot imperfections and correct them before painting. Secondly, a good flat primer provides a consistent base color for the paint and the proper roughness, or "tooth", to pull the paint out of the brush. For these reasons, I always prime.

So washing – a marginal yes, but probably not needed these days

Priming – a resounding yes and use a good one, but not really needed for adhesion (for styrene) as much a base coat and facilitating/easy painting.

I hope this helps.

Thanks again!

Pete