Guys I picked up few bits and pieces lately and was wandering if any one has any tips on (safely) cleaning up loose figures and may be freshening up dusty or dirty carded figs as well?

Hey Craig

Loose figures - hot water and soap , let them soak a bit (not the ones with screws ) and then you can lightly clean them
with anything really , cotton bud, dish cloth, sponge etc

MOC - well until very recently I used mild or sensitive baby wipes for dust, it takes it up nice and easily and after 3-4 years no visible harm done - HOWEVER I was told that its probably not a good thing to do.

Instead - for dust you can use a light soft haired art brush or cleaning brush, make sure its as soft as can be , perhaps mixed with some compressed air so you can blow the dust away whilst you clean it off.

Bubbles are pretty good for using wipes on, no ill effects there.

I would exercise caution with most things but as long as you don't use any strong products and are gentle with what you do you should be fine!

Good to see this thread bumped im cleaning my vader variants at the weekend!

Ill be dipping all the capes in hot water for a second and cleaning them all off get them refited just right.

Also baby wipes works well on most figures as well just remember not to be to rough on painted parts

Thanks lads!

I was going to use some warm water and Fairy liquid ("hands that do dishes... ") but I'm sure I heard somewhere that some cleaning products can take the paint off or permantly damage your figures so wanted to see what you guys use.

It would be nice to freshen up some of my carded figures Joe. Did the guy who warned you not to say why? Does it fade the colours or does the dampness warp the card?

Intersting point about the hot water Jay... does the hot water take out the creases and folds on vinyl capes jay?

A soft bristle toothbrush and warm water i use for some figures faces, sure beats using a sander lmao

For capes im told warm them (LIGHTLY!) with a hair dryer and the creases come out

The guy who said not to use baby wipes on the cardbacks is or was a specialist in preservation, I think documents and books were something he has dealt with and he works in a museum lol, so probably best to listen! (He said the chemicals in the wipes would not do your cards good over time)

I don't know, for the glossy cards its pretty good, I probably wouldn't use it on anything else and if you do decide to use a wipe just use it sparingly and dont insist, if a light wipe wont take the dust /dirt off then best to try something else or leave it.

You can also buff up bubbles with plastic polish, I bought some years back, let me find an old thread (no pics but its got the name of the product etc)

The Admiral wrote:

A soft bristle toothbrush and warm water i use for some figures faces, sure beats using a sander lmao

For capes im told warm them (LIGHTLY!) with a hair dryer and the creases come out

Cheers Rob!....

Wow Rob! That footer is getting better all the time! They look like a set of playing cards! Maybe T|IG should make a novelty set for the raffle! Ledy Head Top Trumps!

Here is the thread, the product was called : Tamiya

This stuff -

http://www.amazon.com/Tamiya-America-Inc-Polishing-Compound-Fine/dp/B000BLI6SQ

I bought a pack of three according to that thread, worked fine for me!

Joe_O wrote:

The guy who said not to use baby wipes on the cardbacks is or was a specialist in preservation, I think documents and books were something he has dealt with and he works in a museum lol, so probably best to listen! (He said the chemicals in the wipes would not do your cards good over time)

I don't know, for the glossy cards its pretty good, I probably wouldn't use it on anything else and if you do decide to use a wipe just use it sparingly and dont insist, if a light wipe wont take the dust /dirt off then best to try something else or leave it.

You can also buff up bubbles with plastic polish, I bought some years back, let me find an old thread (no pics but its got the name of the product etc)

A curator!? I suppose we better listen to him then

Thanks Joe!

Craig T wrote:

The Admiral wrote:

A soft bristle toothbrush and warm water i use for some figures faces, sure beats using a sander lmao

For capes im told warm them (LIGHTLY!) with a hair dryer and the creases come out

Cheers Rob!....

Wow Rob! That footer is getting better all the time! They look like a set of playing cards! Maybe T|IG should make a novelty set for the raffle! Ledy Head Top Trumps!

Yah im luvin them

A deck of cards or Top Trumps - not a bad idea, just need the 50 + a couple of variants and were in business

I have been dormant for a while with my figures and I noticed all the dust which has gathered on my figures as I never finished my cabinet with a door :S.

Nice thread. I will get some slightly soapy hot water and give them a clean after I have fitted my PVC door. Just hope this will be good enough to stop enough UV from damaging the figures.

for playsets i uses rubbing alcohol and q tips, does great never had a problem , just becareful around the stickers can be tedious depending on the size and level of dirt