I use a small half-round file, a #11 X-acto blade, and a kind of miniature chisel I made by grinding down and sharpening a broken file handle; see image: picture
The 2 KGVs in the image are before-and-after examples, with the cleaned-up example below; the latter is ready to prime and paint, unless I decide to add the cranes and seaplane which Figurehead added to the current version of this casting.
The funnel tops were done with the file.
The deck mold line is basically a miniature "cliff", which is often partly below the level of the edges of the deck. Because of this, simply filing it down can destroy the hull's sheer line and look bad. Instead, use the tip of the knife to gently scrape away at the "cliff" from the low side. You basically break the "cliff" down into a series of "terraces", which can be given a final smoothing with other tools.
The minature chisel is used to get into spaces where there isn't sufficient clearance to use the knife or file. It needs to be kept sharp, as does the knife. BTW, the models in this image are sitting on the hone which I use to sharpen these tools.
In general, I clean up my models using a techique similar to that which I use on the DDs, except that non-DDs don't have to be removed from bases. See my comment near the bottom of this topic at link: TMP link
's first experience with 1:4800 scale naval models.
s? I tried a file and am now the proud owner of an Ajax class wreck. Perhaps just the edge of a sharp knife?