How Should I Care for a Finished DIY Kit?

Dust is the most common thing a finished kit collects. Sweep a clean, soft paintbrush lightly across the surface, as if you were painting, and use a dry cloth on larger flat areas. For dust that stays in corners or between gear teeth, a hair dryer on a cool, low setting can blow it loose.

On book nooks with a clear front panel or door, open it the way the manual shows so the sheet, hinges, and slots are not bent or strained.

Most finished kits only need dusting, so treat this step as optional. If a wooden surface has a mark that a dry cloth will not lift, apply a small amount of a mild cleaner suitable for wood, then wipe it off right away with a dry cloth.

Wood absorbs water, so never soak or rinse a model, and keep cleaners away from paper, fabric, printed details, clear plastic, and anything electrical.

Wood responds to changes in humidity. Keep finished kits in a place away from water, such as a living room, storage room, or collection room, and never expose them to steam from a humidifier or vaporizer.

Heat can dry wood out quickly and may cause parts to warp or shrink. Keep models away from heat sources and aim for a steady, moderate temperature with as few hot and cold swings as possible.

Switch off a light-up miniature house, book nook, or music box before you clean it. Use only a dry brush around LEDs, switches, and battery boxes, and keep water and cleaners away from them. LED and battery wires can be thin, so avoid pulling, twisting, or bending them sharply.

Dust also settles in the moving parts of mechanical models, music boxes, clocks, and marble runs, so brush lightly over gear teeth, rails, and tracks and keep them dry.

If a mechanism starts to feel stiff, stop instead of forcing it. A small amount of wax on the contact points shown in your manual can help reduce friction. Use only a little, and keep it off visible areas where residue may show.

After the build, keep the instruction manual, spare pieces, and any leftover sandpaper or wax together in a labeled bag or small container. Robotime often includes extra pieces for parts that are easy to break, and the manual makes it easier to identify a part if you ever need a replacement.