Hi, ive almost finished assembling my first ARF airframe and ive noticed there are a lot of finger and hand prints on the fuselage and wings, clearly from where i have been handling it!

I guess these could be glue remnants and grubby sticky hands...

Whats the best way to clean these without damaging the film or decals?

I've always used acetone (or you can borrow the wife/GF nail polish remover) to remove glue and misc gunk from covering and then follow up with window cleaner. Be careful with acetone on decals though. Window cleaner should be sufficient to clean them up.

Joe

thanks Joe, is that safe on the film covering? wont melt or discoluor?

I use a 50/50 mix of denatured alcohol and water. Works well for me.

acetone seems to melt most decals, I'd suggest not using it on them. I have never had it damage any covering ... uhm yet? After you clean it up, use some Pledge, sparingly to give it a gloss. Too much will be streaky and hard to polish up.
Don

Originally Posted by dkrhardy

After you clean it up, use some Pledge, sparingly to give it a gloss.
Don

I've been using Pledge wipes on my motorcycle for everything but the seat. I haven't washed the bike with water since I started using the wipes and it sparkles. I've been thinking about using them on my planes too.

Joe

OK, just tried some nail polish remover (don't tell the wife!) and it works nicely. Although it doesn't seem to have any effect on epoxy overspill. I shall be more careful in future!

Will try the Pledge for a nice polish!

Epoxy, once dried, is a forever thing. If you catch it before that, warm water on a paper towel takes it right off.
Don

ok, thanks.

You could try Mr Sheen, I believe his plane had a rather fetching sparkle as he flew around the tv screen

Indeed i did use Mr Sheen!