How do you fine folks deal with dust on your layouts, dioramas or models? I use a soft paint brush for dusting models and I would like to make a plexiglass cover for my 6'x18" module someday. My basement gets really dusty.
I have seen a guy on youtube use luke warm water, and spray everything of the layout, even the track and even the full scenery parts.
Jim - For cleaning the layout itself, I once read of someone taking a shop vacuum hose, putting panty hose over the end and rubber-banding it; this allowed dust to be sucked up but made sure that any small details didn't come up. I've never tried it, but it seemed ingenious enough. For cleaning the models themselves (motive power, rolling stock, buildings), I've used an old shaving brush for some of my individual models. Furthermore, my employer gave away some small computer-keyboard brushes that are even softer. I have mine on my workbench and it was worked marveously. Best Regards,
Dusting equipment and structures requires a soft touch so I use a soft water color brush. A good make-up brush works well too. Keeping dust off of the layout is difficult even if you have a ceiling in place. If I know I will kick up some dust with drywall prep, floor sweeping, etc., I lay a inexpensive plastic drop cloth (about $1.50 each) on the layout closest to my work. They go down fast, they are inexpensive and they are portable. If your layout scenery is dusty, that is a bit tougher. I have not tried the vacuum cleaner approach but I have tried a Steve Priest recommendation. Adding a new layer of scenic material brings the color back to the layout AND it adds more and deeper texture to the scenery which looks great. Adding more ground foam to completed scenery is easy and fast. Rock on.
I will attest to the panty-hose-over-the-nozzle approach, but with the panty hose between the nozzle and the vacuum hose. It was what I used to clean the layout that we built in the hobby shop. What does get picked up is captured by the panty hose and can be put back in place.
Probably most if not all of us own a good ole' Shop Vac. They actually make a Micro Head Attachment Set that fits the smaller model with the smaller 1.25" tube. I have seen them at Lowe's and they are really small and will probably invest in one. http://www.shopvac.com/shopvac-accessories/Products/1-14-Micro-Cleaning-Kit__801-89-00.aspx
Bob - I need to spend more time wandering at my local big-box home improvement center! This looks pretty nice - thanks for the heads-up,
