Cleaning resin parts before building

Trek 1701 · Post by **Trek 1701** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:23 am

I recently purchased a Starcrafts Akira Class resin model, and I want to remove the release agent from the model before I build it. The instructions say to use Comet or Ajax. Would this mean soaking the model and scrubbing it? Would Comet cleaner be harsh on a resin model by removing surface detail? Would old-fashioned soap and water remove the "greasy" release agent?

I would like to know. Thanks!

rpauly · Post by **rpauly** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:02 am

For Vishnu's sake, don't use that crap! Soak it in Simple Green or something similar that will dissolve the release without gouging up your resin!

Trek 1701 · Post by **Trek 1701** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:09 am

I thought Comet was a really harsh cleaner. That's why I haven't done anything yet. Soaking the model in pure Simple Green sounds much safer.

starmanmm · Post by **starmanmm** » Sat Aug 09, 2008 6:48 pm

Late on this... but I use Castrol Super Clean. I leave it in for about an hour and scrub it down and then put it under running water and scrub it again.

Remember to use gloves.

Been using this stuff on all of my resin kits.

Sometimes I cut it with some water if I don't have too many pieces to clean.

Post by **TER-OR** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:03 pm

The Starcrafts stuff I've built has responded fine to dish soap and toothbrush. No soaking required. Prime it with something nice and you'll be fine.

USS Atlantis · Post by **USS Atlantis** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:47 pm

Doing my own casting with Smooth-On and Castin' Craft I've found that the dish-soap/toothbrush method removes the release agent I use quite well and makes the resin ready for building

Also use a coat or two of a good primer with some wet-sanding and you're good to go

Antenociti · Post by **Antenociti** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:45 pm

We had a complaint from a customer about mould release on a one of our models so spent some time testing it to see what got rid of it the best.

wiping it off with tissue paper first, followed by a soak in SG and a light scrub was the best method.

Sadly all the effort was a tad rather wasted as the customer later realised the model he had a problem with wasnt made by us.

starmanmm · Post by **starmanmm** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:39 pm

Don't think of it as a waste but that you now have an answer to that question if someone asks.