How do you guys control/remove dust from your layouts?
I have lots of shrubbery and sprinkled grass around my layout - some of it not glued down.
Ponz
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My 16x19 feet layout is in an L-shaped addition to our house, with a window AC for temp control. I regularly change the filter in the AC unit for dust control. Not a perfect solution, but a canister vacuum cleaner with a dust brush attachment on its flexible hose is too clumsy and powerful for the job -- it sucks up scenery, scale figures, etc. Even the classic DUSTBUSTER device is too much suction.
I've seen (but never bought) a battery-powered mini vacuum unit intended for cleaning a PC keyboard and crevices -- small but perhaps effective on a train layout.
Mike Mottler (ritrainguy)
I use a gas powered leaf blower. I should probably mention that my main layout is outdoors.
I use compressed air on my garage layout, I open the big rollup door and let 'er rip. It does not get everything but only leaves a very light film of dust which can only be removed by wiping or brushing the surface which is almost impossible to do on scenic surfaces. I just leave the roll up doors open for a bit for the air to refresh. For delicate details I use a very soft paint brush with a vacuum at the same time. Once or twice a year I issue a high wind warning to my little town, last time the captain of my 4ft Hindenburg zeppelin did not heed the warning and almost crashed the craft into the town.
Chris Sheldon
I use cheapo blush and makeup brushes and canned air. I’ve also used Silly Putty which works wonders
You have to glue your scenery materials down if you wish to remove dust without removing your scenery.
