- Bending plastic model horse or resin legs
CAUTION: This technique can damage the paint on plastic models and (especially) painted resins. I usually use this method on models I will be customizing. If I have a plastic OF that I'd like to keep in good shape, I do this method very slowly and carefully to avoid bubbling the finish of the model or the paint. I recommend trying the hair dryer technique on unpainted resins only.
If a plastic model horse or resin has legs that were bent out of shape in storage, you can restore them to their original angles with a hair dryer set on high or hot. If you're trying to bend the legs of a Traditional-sized model, it can take a while to heat up the leg. By contrast, a Stablemate takes only a few seconds of exposure to the dryer's heat before legs become bendable. If you're careful and you heat up the leg slowly, you should get the results you're looking for without trouble.
- Keeping models dust free
Model horse blankets (like the ones Breyer manufactures) can be great for keeping dust off models that are displayed on shelves.
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Whitening yellowed models
Sheryl Leisure shared this tip: She would soak her yellowed Breyers in her swimming pool and they'd come out nice and bright. She would sink a brick or heavy object with a wire or rope attached to it at the bottom of the pool, then attach the model horse to the wire or rope. This kept the model fully submerged, otherwise it would float at the surface. I think she left them in the pool for a couple of days, maybe more. But I highly recommend testing this technique on a cheapy model to verify there's no damage to it.
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- Another idea for keeping models dust free
Computer dust covers (the old plastic ones) fit over Traditional-sized models nicely. They can be cut and reglued easily to fit smaller models.
— Mad Vic
- Transporting OF models
A lot of people seem to have success with Rubbermaid tubs or under-the-bed storage tubs packed with lots of peanuts, old clean t-shirts, or bubble wrap. There's less danger with directly wrapping OF models in bubble wrap (unlike CM models, which can stick to the bubble wrap). If in doubt, you might want to wrap your OF models in old soft towels or t-shirts first, then wrap in bubble wrap. Many people wrap the heads, ears, and necks of their models with lots of toilet tissue to protect those fragile areas before they package them up.
- Removing scuff marks
I use plain ol' SeaBreeze astringent on a cottonball. It gets rid of scuff marks pretty easily, although some of the more stubborn ones require a bit more elbow grease. This technique works well for me and doesn't affect the finish of the model.
— Sharon Cathcart
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