How do you go about keeping the dust at bay with your layouts. Do you cover it over with something when its not being used, or does it have a glass panel over it or something. If you don't cover it what do you do to manage dust, do you use a Eletric duster and blow all the grass and buildings with it, or vacuum very close to everything or what?. Just curious.
I cover my 8ft x 4ft layout with a thick polythene dustsheet which I originally created as my mancave sprung a roof leak but now that has been fixed it's purely a dust problem.
One advantage of it being clear is that I can uncover the scenic side by clipping that side of the cover using small bulldog clips (cheap as chips) while the fiddle yard is still covered.
Given that mine's an exhibition layout, it lives in hardboard "coffins" most of the time and only comes out for shows and occasional home testing. It doesn't really suffer from long term exposure to dusty environments.
When it is set up, I drape lengths fine light muslin over it when not running.
My ancient layout is covered in dust, cobwebs, and is exposed to harsh lighting and temperature differentials.
Generally, I concentrate on having electrically conductive track and turn a blind eye to everything else.
If I have a VIP visit, I spend a day trying to get it looking 'respectable' ;D
Quote from: ntpntpntp on July 28, 2024, 11:33:37 AMGiven that mine's an exhibition layout, it lives in hardboard "coffins" most of the time and only comes out for shows and occasional home testing. It doesn't really suffer from long term exposure to dusty environments.
When it is set up, I drape lengths fine light muslin over it when not running.
Why muslin?
@Grassyfield Why muslin? Because SWMBO had some in her stores back in the mid 90s :) Also it is light so can rest on the tops of trees and buildings without causing damage. I suppose any sort of thin cotton sheet would do the same job.