My layout has been ignored for several years. I’m now ready to get back to it and want some advice on removing dust, spider webs, etc. Is a gentle vacuum the best, or is there another way? Any ideas are appreciated!
Yes, you’ll probably have to vacuum. Make sure all of the details are glued in place though before you start. You can also tape a nylon sock over the vacuum cleaner nozzle so that those details that didn’t hold can still be saved.
I would use one of those polyfiber dusters that have been “treated” to gather stuff to get rid of the cobwebs, although you can do that by twirling a twig or a bamboo skewer or dowel in the middle of the web. Same for cocoons. Later, you can try vacuuming, but maybe compressed air would be better. The problem with the latter method is that what you displace near a nozzle will settle someplace else, or at the same point later. You almost need a vacuum nozzle held near a compressor nozzle.
If the layout is mobile, say with two people handling it, and it had nothing except track and glued ground foam for scenery on extruded foam or Hydrocal, I would seriously consider taking it outside and giving it a short hosing, and letting is dry out in the open. There may be some damage, but you are likely to have to do some alterations and repairs anyway, however, at least it will be clean. Then again, if you go to the trouble of taking it outside, that would be the place to use compressed air.
All sorts of options.
-Crandell
I got a small, soft brush attachment which fits (with an adapter) on the end of a standard vacuum hose. I use that to vacuum my layout. Even so, I’m careful not to dislodge and vacuum up small details.
Then clean your track thoroughly. I use denatured alcohol on a rag, but there are plenty of other options.
A drop of lubricant or the gears of your locos probably wouldn’t hurt either.
Stretch an old pantie hose over the nozzle of the vacuum for the 1st pass so you can easily retrieve whatever comes unglued.
ratled
I purchases a vacuum attachment from Micr Mart that allows you to get into smaller areas. Also, as stated, use nylon over the nozzle.
Although the problem with panty-hose over the nozzle is that if you are male and unattached, getting panty hose can earn you all kinds of strange looks.
I use cheese cloth, which isn’t as fine, but still keeps small stuff out of the nozzle.
I use a combination of Shop-vac, compressed air, an airbrush, and a soft feather duster for tunnels.
Which I use depends on the area of the layout involved.
All the above. Also a spray bottle to lightly mist trees etc will disolve and wash away dust.
Hi!
Welcome back!
Maybe you just might duct tape the big loose pieces down and get that leaf blower backpack and blow the dirt away!
Sorry, I just couldn’t resist that - recall it from Tim Taylor on Home Improvement.
Seriously, the previous posters had some good ideas !
I can see it now… Mobilman repowering an SD-45 tunnel motor with RC dragster motor. “This baby will not only pull every freight car I own, but the heck with prototypical speeds. This sucker’s gonna run at REAL speeds!!”
Sorry, Mob, I couldn’t resist either. [swg]
This warrants emphasizing. You’ve gotten good advice so far but the mister deserves special mention. On some surfaces the vacuum just won’t get all of the dust. A careful but firm application of water from a mister can really take years off of an old layout.
Lance
Visit Miami’s Downtown Spur at www.lancemindheim.com
The mister?? What about the missus??
Or you and a buddy could carry it through a car wash. [:D]