Remove flaking capes from action figures and store the action figure and accessories in a different place. You can remove the shedding lamé by dusting into a sink basin with a dry soft-bristled toothbrush. The cloth will appear white without the lamé. Lamé that hasn't begun to flake will not shed under light brushing.
If you have a figure which has already been dusted with paint flecks from a flaking cape, please use caution when trying to clean. Your first line of defense is a dry soft-bristled toothbrush to whisk away any loose flecks. Rubbing alcohol is your best bet for cleaning a heavily-dusted figure, but there is a small risk with painted areas--especially on the harder plastic of the torso. Use caution if dealing with a heavily-painted torso, such as Saphire, Rubee, or Jade. If you're dealing with flakes that are especially stubborn, it may require some nail polish remover. This demands caution, as nail polish remover is an even stronger paint-remover than rubbing alcohol--it can easily take off the painted areas of the face, torso, arms, and legs! (When using acetone/nail polish remover, I always work in the bathroom with the door closed, window open, and vent on so that the odor of acetone doesn't waft all over the house!)
A cotton ball dipped in acetone nail polish remover is relatively safe for the soft vinyl of the thighs and face (do not rub over the painted areas!!). If there are flecks of lamé on the boots, a tiny amount of acetone should help lift them off without damaging the painted boots, however, it will damage the painted areas on the hard torso and the arms much easier! This sort of project may take some elbow grease and patience--a soft-bristled toothbrush soaked in soapy water may help, but then again, you may just have to scratch gently at the flakes with your fingernails (damp fingernails are less likely to damage the surface of a painted area than dry nails.) |
