How to care for
your models.
A collector's model is not a toy. It's precision you can touch – and it deserves to be treated like the real thing in miniature. This way, every model stays as sharp as on day one.
Attention to detail doesn't maintain itself. Dust, sun, damp basements, and an incorrect grip will cause more wear over the years than any transport. The good news: Model care isn't rocket science – it's just a few good habits.
This guide will walk you through the seven points that truly matter – from dust to the original packaging. No marketing, just what we do with our own models.
Your Care Kit
Six things – that's all you need.
- 01Soft brush for dust in delicate corners
- 02Blower instead of blowing – without moisture
- 03Microfiber cloth for smooth surfaces & chrome
- 04Cotton gloves to prevent fingerprints
- 05Silica gel to combat moisture in the box
- 06Closed display case as the best permanent protection
Seven steps to a long-lasting display case
From top to bottom – from everyday use to long-term storage.
Dust – the silent enemy
Dust settles in every crevice, dulls the paint, and makes details disappear. The important thing is: don't wipe, but dislodge. A soft brush removes dust from grilles, cabs, and booms without scratching the surface.
For smooth surfaces, a dry microfiber cloth is sufficient. Do not touch fine antennas, mirrors, and hydraulic lines – use the brush or a blower for these. It's better to avoid canned compressed air: too much force, too close, and delicate parts can fly off.
Light & Location
UV light is the quietest form of depreciation. Direct sunlight fades paint, dulls decals, and makes red and yellow tones drab over years – and this is irreversible.
Therefore, never place your models in direct sunlight or directly in front of a south-facing window. If you use lighting in the display case, opt for cool LED instead of halogen: much less UV, hardly any heat.
Climate – Humidity & Temperature
Most models are made of die-cast zinc. Metal doesn't like humid, fluctuating air – basements and attics are classic problem areas. Too much humidity attacks chrome parts and promotes corrosion.
Ideal conditions are living room conditions: a relative humidity of around 45–55% and as constant a temperature as possible. Avoid locations directly above heaters or against a cold exterior wall.
Handling – touching correctly
Most damage occurs when lifting. Always hold a model by its chassis or base plate – never by the boom, mirror, antenna, or thin attachments. Those are the first to break.
Clean, dry hands are a must; skin oils and sweat leave marks on chrome and clear parts. For high-quality special models, cotton gloves are worthwhile. Move movable parts – crane booms, dump bodies, steering – only to their natural stop, never with force.
Cleaning – if necessary
First rule: as dry as possible. Dust can be removed with a brush and cloth without ever needing liquid. Only for genuine dirt should you use something more.
Then: a slightly dampened soft cloth, preferably with distilled water. Keep your fingers away from solvents, glass cleaner, spirits, or polish – these attack paint, printing, and clear parts. Never spray directly onto the model, always onto the cloth. And when in doubt, test it on an inconspicuous spot first.
Display Case & Display
The best care is the care you don't have to do. A closed display case keeps dust away, protects from handling, and turns your collection into a display. Glass or acrylic with UV protection is the ultimate solution.
Don't place models on the edge or too close together – a boom touching its neighbor is a scratch waiting to happen. Side lighting instead of overhead lighting better highlights the details.
Storage & Original Packaging
The original packaging is not waste – it is both protection and value. A model with its original packaging is worth significantly more in resale, and no shelf transports a model as safely as its own box.
If storing long-term, do so dry, cushioned, and upright, as intended by the manufacturer. Secure movable parts before closing, add a sachet of silica gel, and avoid stacking heavy boxes on top.
Do's & Don'ts
Always
- Dust gently and regularly
- Handle by the chassis, not by attachments
- Store dry, around 45–55% humidity
- Cool LED instead of halogen in the display case
- Keep original packaging
Never
- Direct sunlight & south-facing windows
- Solvents, glass cleaner, polish
- Spray cleaner directly onto the model
- Rub decals wet
- Basements & attics for permanent storage
What you love, stays cared for.
A model that is properly displayed, handled, and stored will look as good in ten years as it did on day one. That's why we collect.
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