How to clean and dust tiny painted figures

Dust shows up fast on a figure this small, and it settles in the folds of clothes and around the feet. With the right tools cleaning takes a minute. The wrong ones can strip hand-painted acrylic paint in seconds.

What you need

• A soft, dry brush: a clean makeup brush or a soft paintbrush works well.
• A rubber blower bulb, the kind sold for cleaning camera lenses.

How to dust

1. Hold the figure by the legs or body over something soft, like a folded towel, in case it slips.
2. Blow the loose dust off with the blower bulb first.
3. Brush gently from top to bottom. Let the tips of the bristles do the work, without pressing.
4. Blow once more to clear what the brush loosened.

When dust won't come off

If a piece is sticky or greasy (kitchen air, or handled with hand cream), dip the brush in lukewarm water with one drop of mild dish soap and dab gently. Rinse the brush in clean water and go over the figure again, then let it dry on its own on a paper towel for an hour. Only do this when brushing is not enough.

Never use

• Alcohol, hand sanitiser, nail polish remover, window cleaner or any other solvent: they dissolve acrylic paint.
• Wet wipes or cloths rubbed over the surface: they catch thin parts and wear the paint off edges.
• Cans of compressed air held close: the blast is strong and the spray can come out ice cold.
• Ultrasonic cleaners or the dishwasher.

How often

A figure in a closed display case needs dusting a few times a year. One standing in an open scene: every few weeks, before the dust packs in. A closed acrylic case is the easiest way to keep cleaning to a minimum.