display shelf problem.. :(

chengjoo

Hi guys,

I recently bought a display shelf (glass shelves framed with wood, compressed chipboard i think..) and not more than a few months later, mould (the kind with spores on a very thin stalk) started growing! The mould has also 'spread' to some of my models..

It has been growing ever since. I tried putting dehumidifiers inside with only limited success. Reason I bought them was because I had SO MUCH difficulty finding an all glass shelf..which I am very confident that no mould would ever grow.

I am living in Singapore. Any people living in Singapore with all-glass shelves? Where did you buy them and how much did they cost? I would really REALLY appreciate some information..

Other members are also free to give their advice and opinion!

Thanks very much!

gospodin

Take all of your models out of the cabinet and thoroughly wipe down the shelves and cabinet with a chlorine-based cleaner (I don't know what they sell in Singapore, but I've used Tilex here)....don't spray it on the wood though, since you'll mess it up, just wipe it down. Dilute the cleaner, and gently clean off the affected models. I don't know if what you have is actually mold, it might be insect eggs. Some insects lay their eggs on a stalk, and in clusters (I don't know what kind of bug it is, you may have to look it up). I've had this problem myself, but I've never seen the culprits. But trust me, if it's bug eggs, keep your shelves well lit, they don't like light.

chengjoo

Quote: Originally Posted by gospodin Take all of your models out of the cabinet and thoroughly wipe down the shelves and cabinet with a chlorine-based cleaner (I don't know what they sell in Singapore, but I've used Tilex here)....don't spray it on the wood though, since you'll mess it up, just wipe it down. Dilute the cleaner, and gently clean off the affected models. I don't know if what you have is actually mold, it might be insect eggs. Some insects lay their eggs on a stalk, and in clusters (I don't know what kind of bug it is, you may have to look it up). I've had this problem myself, but I've never seen the culprits. But trust me, if it's bug eggs, keep your shelves well lit, they don't like light.

Chlorine-based? Guess that works by killing the mould/fungus?

I think it should be mould/fungus and not insect eggs, cuz if the mould/fungus grows on the 'ceiling' of the shelf, I tend to find spores that drop from the mould directly onto the glass below..sort of like snow fall..

Thank you very much for your advice

dave wictor

I'd be careful with your models.Try a can of compressed air on the models. If that doesn't work, use some Q-Tips to clean the models. I'm afraid by using any liquid on the models, you run the risk of damaging the paint finish and/or the tampo printing.

gospodin

Quote: Originally Posted by dave wictor I'd be careful with your models.Try a can of compressed air on the models. If that doesn't work, use some Q-Tips to clean the models. I'm afraid by using any liquid on the models, you run the risk of damaging the paint finish and/or the tampo printing.

That's why I said diluted cleaner. I've used a weak mix of water and Tilex to wash crud from a couple of my models with no damage. If he truly has fungus of some sort growing on his models, blowing it off isn't going to get rid of it. Normally, yes, you don't use water or cleaners on your models.

chengjoo

dave, its definitely not dust..i've tried blowing, dusting, 'dry' cleaning the mould/fungus off but they just keep coming back..i think compressed air isn't going to work..a very diluted solution of water and some chlorine-based cleaner shouldn't do major damage..

thank you for your suggestion anyway

dave wictor

Good luck. Hope that it works. Let us know.

chengjoo

Okey dokey! Cleaned up my shelves and my aircraft..made a few stupid mistakes..like used my fingernails on a few decals..they fell off of course..

but the paintwork remained intact for the rest of the aircraft!

as for the fungus/mould..i am crossing my fingers that they don't return