I was reading some painting how to's online and it said if you are going to prime your model before you paint there is no need to clean the model first. When I first started model building years ago it was preached that you must wash before painting. Since coming back this is the first I've heard of not washing the plastic before painting/priming.
Just wondering you folks think/do.

Robert it is a good idea to wash kits with washing detergent as it removes not only the grease they may be there from the moulding process but also any grease from your hands while building the model.

I always do, probally always will (old habits). Some things changed a lot in the 20 or so years I was away from the hobby. I was just wondering what approach was common practice now.

I don't think we're dealing with the same oils and such that were on the models we built 30 years ago but its still a good idea, I think. I have had fingerprints and such cause poor paint adhesion or even bubbling. Nowadays, I just spray the model down with windex and rinse it off in the sink and allow to air dry. Haven't had any paint issues since i began that.

Matt

Robert,

I've been building models for 30+ years and I've never washed the model or primed it before I painted. I've never had any issues with painting in that manner. It all boils down to what works for you. Try it all different ways and see what works. Wash and prime. Wash, don't prime. Dont wash and dont prime.

Steve

I have never washed the model,and I only started priming recently,especially if the model plastic is a dark color,or if I assemble with different mediums

I'm one for the no cleaning side as well. As long as I have been modelling I have never ever cleaned a model before priming. I even have never cleaned sprues before building. And it always worked out fine.

I failed at an attempt to build one of Dragon's Shilkas, because I did not wash it first. This was no a very old kit, at the time(3 years ago). So, it is a good idea to wash the kit, first. While you are at it, rinse pe with vinegar.

I always wash my models before I paint.

This not only improves paint adhesion by removing oils and fingerprints, but it also removes all that trash and dust that accumulates over the construction.

Filling, sanding, trimming mold lines, drilling holes, dust from the air settling on the model, etc, etc, etc, get all over the model and around details.

Washing gets rid of all of that.

I use warm tap water in the kitchen sink, a mild dish detergent, and a larger camel hair water color brush. Just wet the model, put a drop of detergent on the brush and agitate gently. Rinse and air dry on paper towels.

For internal areas, stick a piece of twisted paper towel into the opening allowing some of it to stick out in the open air like drying boots with newspaper. Very seldom do I have to wait more than over night for the model to dry completely.

I keep the drain in the sink plugged while I'm washing so that any parts that break off won't be lost. I'm pretty careful, but it does happen every now and again.

Maybe this is all "old school," but I never have to worry about dust and trash marring my finish or some reaction by the paint to mold release agents or something that I had on my hands while I was building.

BTW: After I wash the model, I always wash my hands before handling it during the rest of the finishing processes. Greasy finger prints from lunch can undo all the earlier work...

My .02...

I also clean my models, but i clean with 91% iso alcohol prior to primer and never had an issue.

Gary

My experience has been that if it's a styrene kit, you probably don't need to wash it, but I do anyway. On the other hand, if it's resin, you will wash it.

Mike

In my younger modelling days, I didn't know much so I'd just paint right away after the build. I recall no problems with that method -- and today I can still look at the handywork done and it looks fine.

I recall going thru the washing ritual when I thought I was getting serious with the hobby and started reading thru modelling tips / advice. Heck, there was a time I was even washing the sprues before the build itself!

Anyways my reason for continuing the wash-before-prime / paint practice is that: it takes off any nasty, oily prints I usually leave -- I guess in this side of the world, I get sweaty hands that are prone to leave those marks. Most importantly -- washing to me removes residual dust from sanding work done.

Some folks will swear by it and some don't -- so I'd say do what works for you.

Cheers,

Tat

My personal preference is to wash the model prior to priming and or just painting (dark colors do not need primer. PE and resin do) with a spray bottle that contains 70% Iso alcohol. Dries quickly and doesn't stain. Right before painting I use my air brush cranked up to blow any dust off the model post wash.

This comes from my days painting race car models, which are mostly gloss, and show everything and anything you can think of.

Paint will not stick to mold oils. Generally by the time we're ready to paint, we've rubbed all of it off with our fingers during construction.
Joel