Not sure where to place this one:
We have great info on how to look after our locos and track and how we can improve the our layout but what about 'General Maintenance'?
What I mean by that is keeping the whole set-up clean and dust-free. You guys with larger layouts and loads of buildings etc, are bound to have tips on how you go about keeping the place looking good.
I confess to losing a sheep while doing some gentle vac'ing some time back. :doh:
Is there a routine that's worth following or gizmo's that help do the job, even for us who have smaller layouts? Must we pack everything away at the end of each 'session'? (Please No-o!)
Dave G
Hi Dave, I like to keep my layouts reasonably clean by giving them a light vacuum every now and again, I don't get to carried away though as I don't like sucking to many people up the hose, I think a little but of dust tends to give the layouts a slightly weathered look.
Guys, if you can spare your :-[ the go to a cosmetic counter and buy a blusher brush with a nice big soft head, ideal for brushing dust of locos, buildings and other delicate items, the head is so soft it won't damage anything. :)
I've always found a bit of mesh cut from old tights stuffed in the vacuum nozzle allows you to reclaim the odd sheep, person etc.
(Now that's gonna cause some reaction :-[ :D)
Quote from: newportnobby on November 09, 2012, 07:57:32 PM
I've always found a bit of mesh cut from old tights stuffed in the vacuum nozzle allows you to reclaim the odd sheep, person etc.
Fish nets? :-X
Great topic by the way and very relevant to me at the moment.
I now have a large layout that is very highly detailed. Iam using a large soft headed paint brush at moment but I like the idea that Caz has suggested. I might send Fay down to debenhams to acquire one.
I use cleaning pads under long wheel base wagons for track and I'm looking to obtain a light Hoover like a dust devil for most area's. :thankyousign:
... and I'm looking to obtain a light Hoover like a dust devil for most area's
Careful Owl!
As mentioned earlier, little people and animals are susceptible to a vacuum! I've been using a Miele vac that you can back off to almost zero power.
Not owning any tights (and post the lost sheep incident), I use a thin sock attached to the vac hose (grief, another low level pun!) to scoop up and recycle scatter.
I wonder if one of those USB vacs for unclogging keyboards would be any good?
Caz, can I use a photographer's brush instead? Please?
Dave G
Quote from: daveg on November 09, 2012, 08:40:17 PM
Caz, can I use a photographer's brush instead? Please?
Dave G
Be brave Dave, the assistants don't bite, just tell them what you want it for :) I don't think the photographer's brush has such a large soft head, but if you're a wimp, go ahead :P ;)
Quote from: daveg on November 09, 2012, 08:19:15 PM
Quote from: newportnobby on November 09, 2012, 07:57:32 PM
I've always found a bit of mesh cut from old tights stuffed in the vacuum nozzle allows you to reclaim the odd sheep, person etc.
Fish nets? :-X
Whatever floats your boat, Dave, but I think the dernier may be wrong and allow too much up the vac (OMG - I'm starting to sound like an expert now :dighole:)
QuoteI now have a large layout that is very highly detailed.
Oh really Owl , what it called? :envy: :D
Quote from: whiteswan on November 09, 2012, 08:52:12 PM
Quote from: daveg on November 09, 2012, 08:40:17 PM
Caz, can I use a photographer's brush instead? Please?
Dave G
Be brave Dave, the assistants don't bite, just tell them what you want it for :) I don't think the photographer's brush has such a large soft head, but if you're a wimp, go ahead :P ;)
I'm going in ... with a copy of this thread as evidence. oooh where's me Boots card? :D
Quote from: Jack9465 on November 09, 2012, 08:55:28 PM
QuoteI now have a large layout that is very highly detailed.
Oh really Owl , what it called? :envy: :D
OWLTMD?? :laugh3:
can't really do much other than...
1. dusting with a blusher brush
2. hoovering very carefully!
3. cover the layout up when not in use
cheers
tim
Quote from: newportnobby on November 09, 2012, 07:57:32 PM
I've always found a bit of mesh cut from old tights stuffed in the vacuum nozzle allows you to reclaim the odd sheep, person etc.
(Now that's gonna cause some reaction :-[ :D)
I tell you what Mike there is no way I am sticking panty hose up my nozzle, I have enough trouble with it as it is :doh: :doh:
I don't care if I suck the occasional person up because I have loads of replacements :thumbsup:
dernier ? :doh: :confused2: :confused2:
I get brushes and other cosmetic bits by nicking old stuff from SWMBO.
I never touch her trowel, filler or blowtorch though.
Quote from: daveg on November 09, 2012, 08:40:17 PM
I wonder if one of those USB vacs for unclogging keyboards would be any good?
the one i had didn't provide much suction at all and really you were using a brush with a fancy heavy handle,,,
i would suggest a dust buster they can be picked up cheap and i do most of my layout with one, and they era quite kind to stray pieces if you open them carefully and check before emptying into the bin,,,,,,
i find 2 and 3 inch painting brushes usefull too for sweeping,,,,,
all this reminds me that in my recent lack of work on the layout itself i need to have a good clean :doh:
Hi daveg,
You couldn't hoover up our 2 border collies with your sheep could you?! They're not allowed in the room but the hairs still get in (prob off me). They're not major moulters but still a pain especially when stuck to something you just glued.
No tips, just got hand held vacuum and a soft painting brush. Like the idea of the blusher brush though.
By the way, trainsdownunder, he mean't 'denier', its the thickness of nylon etc. 7 am here so just waiting for the shops to open to get my stockings, blusher and who knows what else.... It is the weekend! :-*
Tell them you are auditioning for the Rocky Horror picture show.... :bounce:
One I forgot to mention that I have seen before.......
Some people use compressed air cans, the type people use for I.T equipment cleaning. You can get these from office suppliers such as staples quite cheaply. The spray can is designed not to be aggressive when the cap is pushed down so the air release isn't a blast of air but enough to remove dust, especially in hard to reach nooks and crannies.
Hope this helps....
Crikey this is getting interesting, some people suck and others blow, I guess it doesn't matter so long as it gets the job done :NGaugersRule:
Quote from: trainsdownunder on November 10, 2012, 03:21:23 AM
I never touch her trowel, filler or blowtorch though.
I now have a picture in my mind I just can't shift :worried:
Quote from: newportnobby on November 10, 2012, 02:13:20 PM
Quote from: trainsdownunder on November 10, 2012, 03:21:23 AM
I never touch her trowel, filler or blowtorch though.
I now have a picture in my mind I just can't shift :worried:
Wicked! >:D :camera:
Quote from: newportnobby on November 10, 2012, 02:13:20 PM
Quote from: trainsdownunder on November 10, 2012, 03:21:23 AM
I never touch her trowel, filler or blowtorch though.
I now have a picture in my mind I just can't shift :worried:
She don't get out much except for Haloween - takes too long to get ready !
Quote from: whiteswan on November 09, 2012, 08:52:12 PM
Quote from: daveg on November 09, 2012, 08:40:17 PM
Caz, can I use a photographer's brush instead? Please?
Dave G
Be brave Dave, the assistants don't bite, just tell them what you want it for :) I don't think the photographer's brush has such a large soft head, but if you're a wimp, go ahead :P ;)
The Southern Comfort kicked in so I went for it:
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/61/thumb_2749.JPG) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=2749)
Thanks Caz!
Dave G
Looks very nice, Dave.
:beers: from another Southern Comfort lover (trouble is I tend to get the air guitar out after a few :-[)
Just make sure you're well away from anything N Gauge while you play!
I'm planning on major changes to the layout.
I need a load more track in the yard area for coach and wagon storage. Sadly I'm stuck with just the one 6'x2' 6" board so no space in the room for additional square footage.
I'm promised 'lots more space' when we get/find our new place but that's probably in 2014.
Meanwhile; Cheers! :beers:
Dave G
Quote from: whiteswan on November 09, 2012, 07:57:03 PM
Guys, if you can spare your :-[ the go to a cosmetic counter and buy a blusher brush with a nice big soft head, ideal for brushing dust of locos, buildings and other delicate items, the head is so soft it won't damage anything. :)
Having chuckled to myself whilst reading this thread, I did manage to persuade front of house to pick me up a blusher brush from Boots a couple of weeks ago. It is excellent at removing dust from all my locos and rolling stock - wish I'd known about this years ago as it doesn't take long at all.
:thankyousign:
Cheers,
Flounder
Ah - but does it actually remove the dust or just spreead it around the layout? :worried:
My mate Tim uses paper and swears by it, i have tried it and it works really well. Its good practice and you can use old receipts / scrap paper etc