Care and Preservation of Your Model Ship

After purchasing the long-anticipated model ship, it is your next challenge to protect it. One of the main areas you need to concentrate on is the possibility of chemical deterioration. Naturally, the metal parts of the model ship you bought tend to oxidize by nature. Some of the common metals found on the ship models are brass, copper, steel, tin, stainless steel, alloy and tin. If you are good in dis-assembling and assembling model ships (you have to be 100% sure of this), you can wash these parts with water using a very little amount of soap and dry them perfectly before fixing. After re-installing, you can apply a thin clear coat of lacquer to prevent natural deterioration. This step is essential if you are located on coastal areas.

Biological deterioration is another fact that can damage the appearance of your model ship. To prevent this, you can paint the wooden parts with some clear varnish. If not you can apply some appropriate oil substance without spoiling the material. The rigging lines of your ship model can perfectly preserved with bees wax. They can block moisture pretty well and protect the rigging lines assuring a longer life span. Just apply some bees wax on the lines and heat the surface with a 60 watt light bulb allowing wax to melt and get into the line properly.

When it comes to sailing ship models, to assure a better appearance for a longer period, you need to prevent the sail cloth from deteriorating.  This can be done with the help of some hair spray. Apply some hair spray on the sail (you need to be careful not to overdo it).  Once the hair spray is applied it will prevent the sail from both deteriorating and blowing away. However, it is important for you to keep the sail away from sunlight as much as possible – sunlight can maximize the deteriorating process significantly.

Be sure to arrange a proper place to display your model ship. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heat sources. If you really need a light source, the best option is to use a low temperature LED light source.

The next enemy of your ship models is the dust and dirt. You can simply prevent your ship model from dust by placing it inside a glass box. Such trick will also prevent your children and pets from playing with it. However, building or purchasing a glass box isn’t a cheap option.

Despite all the care you take, it is necessary to clean the model from time to time. You can simply remove unwanted substances like dust from the ship model using a hair dryer. Be sure to set the temperature of the dryer to cool while performing this action. If you find stubborn dust stains on the ship, use a small brush, soft cloth or a piece of sponge to wipe them off. Do not get restricted to the visible part of the model as deterioration can start from the bottom of the model. So, be sure to clean the bottom of the ship as well. Continuous attention is the best way to assure a longer life span for your ship model.