How do you keep your newer tinplate clean?

You don't need a cleaner unless they are super dirty. Wipe or dust them first, then use a high quality car wax. It will remove any leftover dirt. I use a micro fiber cloth to polish after that, such as those used to clean eye glasses. Look into a Swiffer refillable duster too.

George

Ostrich feather duster.

I use a microfiber duster.  Also, I keep a can of compressed air at the ready.  I generally wear gloves when I need to handle them.  If one needs to be cleaned after dusting, I wipe it with water and soft cotton or microfiber rag.

Tinplate Art posted:

Ostrich feather duster.

Just make sure you wash the Ostrich first!

George

If it just loose dirt and dust I use compressed air and a new high-quality paint brush. What the compressed air cannot dislodge the paint brush does.

Do you use the car wax over decals and painted decorations too, I would be afraid of damaging them?

Craignor posted:

Do you use the car wax over decals and painted decorations too, I would be afraid of damaging them?

On MTH tinplate, you will not have a problem. I believe they clear coat their decals. I have stripped some cars and the decals are just as hard as their paint, which is some of the hardest paint I have seen BTW. Careful with any hand painted or hand laid decals. I would start with a liquid wax without any buffing to get a layer of wax on those.

Another option is Armor All, but that is not as widely accepted as the proper protectant. I have used it with great results though. For MTH / LCT stuff, stick with the car wax. 

George

George S posted:

Craignor posted:

Do you use the car wax over decals and painted decorations too, I would be afraid of damaging them?

On MTH tinplate, you will not have a problem. I believe they clear coat their decals. I have stripped some cars and the decals are just as hard as their paint, which is some of the hardest paint I have seen BTW. Careful with any hand painted or hand laid decals. I would start with a liquid wax without any buffing to get a layer of wax on those.

Another option is Armor All, but that is not as widely accepted as the proper protectant. I have used it with great results though. For MTH / LCT stuff, stick with the car wax. 

George

Thanks, I will give it a try.

Craignor posted:

George S posted:

Craignor posted:

Do you use the car wax over decals and painted decorations too, I would be afraid of damaging them?

On MTH tinplate, you will not have a problem. I believe they clear coat their decals. I have stripped some cars and the decals are just as hard as their paint, which is some of the hardest paint I have seen BTW. Careful with any hand painted or hand laid decals. I would start with a liquid wax without any buffing to get a layer of wax on those.

Another option is Armor All, but that is not as widely accepted as the proper protectant. I have used it with great results though. For MTH / LCT stuff, stick with the car wax. 

George

Thanks, I will give it a try.

To be clear, I am talking about hand wax and polish. No need for any heavy buffing or rubbing. Work in small sections as the instructions usually advise. Also, you may end up with white, dried wax in crevices. It takes awhile to see this. I come back with Q-tips to clean that up. If it's essential, you can use a wooden toothpick to dig it out, but be gentle and careful.

George

I use a makeup brush my wife gave me.

Fact is, unless you live in a dustbowl, the modern repro stuff needs very little cleaning except an occasional gentle dusting with a good quality feather duster or a makeup foundation brush. I have an MTH Tinplate Traditions state set I purchased in 1998 that looks like it came out of the box yesterday!