Cleaning parts before assembly is important to remove mold-release agent residue and ensure proper paint and cement adhesion. Traditional cleaning methods employ soap and water in a bucket or sink — effective, yes, but there is always a risk of losing parts.

Inspired by a touchless car wash, I use my airbrush and a solution of lemon-scented ammonia to spray contaminates from my plastic parts. I imagined it would be a messy process, or even labor intensive, but it isn’t.

I spray the parts on a towel, dip them in a bath of warm, clear water, and set them in a dust-free place to dry.

For large parts and sprues, I set the pressure at 40psi and spray both sides with ammonia. For delicate parts, I lower the pressure.

I find this gets the cleaning solution into nooks and crannies for better cleaning. Ammonia cleaning solutions are available from grocery and discount stores; a gallon bottle will clean a lot of models.

One word of warning: Don’t let ammonia sit in your airbrush for any length of time, as it will etch the fine brass fittings.

Tip submitted by:
John R. GrovesChili, New York