Over the years, my models have considerable dust and cobwebs in my workshop, whats the safest way to clean them?, I fear just plain water may not get them back into shape

I use a large stiff bristled brush and a little air from a can or the compressor. I wipe with the brush and blow the resulting particles off. Don't use hard bursts of air, this will blast the small parts off the model. Use gentle puffs. And do it regularly, every three months or so.

Rob

Ditto - light compressed air. I use a soft brush, but same technique. I sometimes use a qtip with some water - Only on sealed kits.
On the dioramas I only used compressed air on the natural grasses and stuff

I've seen some small vacuums in the micro mark catalog. you might check out some of the small vacums used for cleaning out your computer.

Josh Aka shiryon

Ive tried this with the airbrush, not having any paint in of course, and it it blew away what little dust there was! The models are not so old so I believe Rtwpsom2 had the right idea and do it regularily and the dust is easy to remove!

Yup, the cans of compressed air to clean computer keyboards and such work great. I augment with a large, round, soft brush I found in an art supply store. Looks almost like a feather-duster (not as big, of course), but the combination works wonders.

Never done it myself but I hear a dishwasher set on pot scrub works really well on that scale dirt you've built up......LOL just kidding.......Kids DO NOT try this at home!!!!
A soft brush and a few puffs from my airbrush usually works....never let them build up that long though.....so.....GOOD LUCK!!!

For dusting my models I use a large, soft brush (actually its a cheap make-up brush I found in a local super-market, for APPLYING! powder) #:-)

I guess I was not real clear..I mean they are really dirty....Even plain water and a qtip will not remove the dirt & grime..Im going to need asome kind of soap and water..Any suggestions?

I use a vacuum cleaner which can be used on pc keyboards. Very useful. Just don't use it on a diorama and lotsa loose parts (like leaves and vines on the turret).

I use an airbrush, but sometimes it's not enough. In these case I followed a tip I found here on Armorama: i wash them with warm water and a soft big round paintbrush and the results are quite satisfactory...
Ciao

I agree with the big soft make-up brush...the wifes old one...well it is after she had to buy a new one after I borrowed it..... and soft air puffs from a compressor, can or lung.
But if you say it's really "that" dirty, you might try a test on a part that won't hurt too much with a Q-tip dipped in warm water with a drop, only a drop, of dish washing liquid like Fairey.
If it works you can do more...but watch the decals if the kits are un-sealed.
Good luck.
Peter

When needed I use the airbrush and then a soft brush. I don´t have this problem because I store my models in acrylic cases. I found that this is the only way to protect your kit securly not only against dust.

I use the small vacuum/blower that's listed with micro-mark. it's not too strong so you may also want to use an old paint brush as well

I hate to admit this, but I have let my models go for over a year without dusting them. By that time they are not just dusty,but caked in grime. I used a warm water and dish soap solution with a large soft brush to scrub them Rinsed them in warm water and blotted with them dry with paper towels. Just be careful of the small bits. Some of these models have been around since 1970.

I guess one of these days, I'm gonna have to build an enclosed cabinet for them!

The ideal tool for this work is to use a womens very soft make up brush which is very very soft and will not hurt or break anything on the model and also has many hair on and will take much stuff at a time . Compined you use small amounts of low pressure air to help getting the dust off. And then cover thecleaned kit with a plastic toys box or something like this .

i just dunk mine in water, been doing it for years and no side effects.