As a car enthusiast, you know the best feeling of all time is receiving your diecast model car after patiently waiting for its arrival. You know that these model cars don’t usually come cheap and are quite delicate, requiring gentle handling. Similar to the in-depth care a car owner must put into their vehicle, you must do the same with your scale model. You know that sometimes your diecast model cars also require polish and wax. Read on to learn how to detail your model vehicle with care.

Materials You Will Need

Make sure you have a good area for you to work in. It must have proper lighting, clear storage, and ventilation. We know you want to get on with the waxing and polishing, but you are going to need a couple of materials first. Here are the basics of what you will need:

• Rubber examination gloves
• Microfiber cloths
• Fine makeup brush or paintbrush
• Rubbing compound
• Car wax spray
• Paper towels (optional)

We recommend rubber examination gloves as they give you more control when handling your model. Whereas with polishing gloves, the material surface can cause your car to easily slip out of your hands during waxing and polishing, potentially damaging it in the process.

Finding Your Brush

You can find brushes for cheap in your local drug store. Head over to the makeup applicator or paint section, and you will find a plethora of brushes to purchase. Don’t feel overwhelmed—just choose a large fluffy brush with a long handle.

If your model car is smaller or has finer details, you may consider purchasing a package of brushes that provide a range of sizes. This package will come in handy when you have finer areas in the interior that need dusting, as a smaller tipped brush will work perfectly in reaching those tight spots.

Clean Up Your Model

You first want to clean up your model of any dust or particles you notice; this is where a fine makeup or paint brush will come into play. Make sure you have your gloves on first, then start gingerly brushing away any dust on your model. After a couple of swipes on your car, remember to continually give the brush a tap to remove extra dust that clings to the bristles. You might consider placing a paper towel to the side where you can tap your brush against as the dust will cling to the towel instead.

As you clean up the model and brush the dust away, take notice of any scratches or smudges you want to polish away. You might already have an idea of specific areas you know need a polish, but a quick inspection can reveal other minor flaws.

Pro Tip: Eradicating Dust

You will find it is quite easy for your model to accumulate random dust over time, even when you keep up with consistent cleaning—it’s normal. This can feel frustrating, especially when you want your models to always look as stunning as possible. However, there are some ways to do away with your dust accumulation and nearly stop it in its tracks.

If you don’t dust often, consider setting up a weekly de-dusting schedule where you brush away dust from your model. It would be best if you also were vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping the floors in the areas where you house your models weekly. If you house every model in the same room, you might consider purchasing an air purifier to keep in that area. You might already have one, but it’s worth mentioning that a clear case is a great way to protect your model car from dust.

Prepare To Polish and Wax

Now that you have cleaned your diecast model car, you are ready to move on to the waxing and polishing stage. You will be polishing and waxing away any scratches or blemishes, but there are some things to keep in mind. For this part, you will use your gloves, a microfiber towel, rubbing compound, and car wax.

Moreover, most microfiber cloths come quite large, almost the size of your model. As such, you might consider cutting the cloth into smaller squares, giving you more control and visual access. As you know, your model car is incredibly delicate, and you must proceed with care. With this information in mind, you may begin polishing your model.

Polishing Your Model

Wearing your gloves, grab the softer side of your microfiber cloth and place a very small drop of your rubbing compound on it, about half the size of a pencil eraser. You must use your rubbing compound very sparingly because you don’t want to ruin the fine paint job. Gingerly dab a small amount of the compound from your cloth onto the scratch or blemish. Once you have dabbed the compound onto the designated area, use a dry portion of your cloth to carefully dab and rub at the spot.

Try to work quickly and cautiously, as this compound can easily dry within five minutes. We also want to avoid any paint wearing away, so periodically check your cloth to ensure no paint rubs off. The compound will eventually dissipate, revealing a sleek surface. Continue in this manner until all the scratches or blemishes you want to eliminate are gone, working carefully and diligently.

Waxing Your Model

Finally, it is now time to wax your model! Using a new, clean microfiber cloth, spray your cloth with about three spritzes or until it is damp with the wax solution. Remember to continue wearing your gloves and spray your wax onto the softer side of your cloth. Moreover, wax your model in a well-lit area so that you can see every inch of it, ensuring you don’t miss any smudge. Work with the same gentleness as you did when you polished your model, taking as much time as you need during the process.

Caring for Your Model

You know there is nothing better than displaying your model after thoroughly cleaning, waxing, and polishing. However, many people tend to damage their models during the waxing and polishing process. That is why we emphasize attention to detail and care throughout this piece, as we know your model is delicate and important to you. We care as much as you do about your collection.

Create a routine for model maintenance and dusting. While you want to avoid unnecessary handling, there’s nothing wrong with ensuring your collection looks its best.

If you are looking for a model car company with extreme authenticity and attention to detail, look to Live Car Model. Our BMW diecast model cars make the perfect gift for your budding car enthusiast friend. We also have countless other options available, from iconic to limited pieces, for you to add to your personal collection today.