General Layout Maintenance

[daveg]

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. 

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

[longbridge]

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.

[Caz]

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. 

[Newportnobby]

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 )

[daveg]

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? 

[OwL]

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.

[daveg]

... 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

[Caz]

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     

[Newportnobby]

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? 

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 )

[Jack]

I now have a large layout that is very highly detailed.

Oh really Owl , what it called?   

[daveg]

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     

I'm going in ... with a copy of this thread as evidence.  oooh where's me Boots card? 

[Newportnobby]

I now have a large layout that is very highly detailed.

Oh really Owl , what it called?   

OWLTMD??

[bluedepot]

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

[longbridge]

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 )

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 
I don't care if I suck the occasional person up because I have loads of replacements 

[trainsdownunder]

dernier ?

I get brushes and other cosmetic bits by nicking old stuff from SWMBO.

I never touch her trowel, filler or blowtorch though.