Global Scale Modeller

Hi Guys, a very simple question again, sorry . I have read in several places that it is a 'must' that spues are washed in a soapy solution, washing-up liquid, prior to assembly and painting to remove the mould release agent, has any anyone found if this is really necessary or is it something we all should do? Thanks Guys

I never ever do it and have never had a problem yet

i agree with paul never and i too have never had a problem

What can I say, great to have experts on hand, thanks very much Guys.

Built over 300 kits and never had an issue. It's one I think about from time to time but I'm normally half way through the build by then.

I have heard about the sprue washing thing too and in all the years I have been building I have never washed a thing and also have never had a problem

Mark

As above! Lol

MrsModeller and I had a bit of a problem with the Airfix Westland Gazelle starter kit (think that Airfix had used their patent pending goat-fat mould release agent) but apart from that haven't had any problems at all with Airfix, Revell, Matchbox, Italeri or Tamiya.

I think if when you touch the plastic and it feels greasy then certainly bath-time it is

This comes up a lot and through my investigstions it seems that if you are spraying (either airbrush or can) you wont have a problem, with ahairy stick and acrylic pasint you may.

I only ever do this on resin and then only if I can feel any greasy residue.

I also never did. I think it is a technique that comes from the old resin kits ...

I sometimes do.. Depends on the kit and my visual inspection to be honest, however, I do wash the model once built, leave it to dry and then put on the primer, that way I know no dust or impurities will affect the paint work.

I think I've only ever seen one kit that had mold release on in all my years.

I have never washed either. Only had one problem with a truck body a couple years ago. Other wise, I just dive in and build it.

Nope, the only wash mine get is at the end prior to primer, I spray Windex all over it and let it sit a few minutes, then rinse, good to go!

I do wash mine with bit of warm water and detergent in a baking tray. Very quick and just blow dry. I think it does seem better as the sprues look cleaner. That's just me. 2min job

Washing the sprues won't make much difference, the glues will melt any release agent in the way, so it doesn't help assembly.

Washing the unpainted model makes more sense as there would still be some mold release on it and even if you have washed the sprues, oil from your hands will have gotten on the model.

I've only washed 2 models before painting, both from Eastern Europe makers (Russian or Ukrainian, or something near there), both were almost dripping in release agent.

I always wash my sprues. This comes as a habit from years of Warhammer model making and a good deal of the white metal had a release agent (powdery stuff) coating it. The older plastic sprues from 10 odd years ago had it on them as well. I don't think you'll have any trouble either way, but I like the feel the plastic has after a nice bath and it helps my butterfingers grip it... if that makes sense.

Cheers,
~Kyle