Figure Care Guide: Dust, UV, Humidity and LED Longevity

A working reference for collectors who care about a lit display shelf. These are the terms, numbers and checks that decide whether a piece looks right on the shelf and holds its value.

Dusting without damaging paint

Dust with a soft, dry brush and gentle pressure — the goal is to lift particles, not to scrub. Compressed air is faster but can drive dust into seams and, at close range, chill brittle resin.

Sunlight, heat and humidity

In very humid rooms, silica packets inside a sealed case are enough. In very dry rooms, avoid placing pieces directly over vents.

Cleaning painted and clear surfaces

Painted resin tolerates a barely damp microfibre cloth, wrung almost dry. Clear parts and LEDs need a dry optical cloth only — solvents cloud them permanently.

LED care and longevity

Run LED features in sessions rather than leaving them on permanently. Heat is what shortens the life of both the emitter and the surrounding paint.

Storing and moving a collection

Store in the original box with its protective foam; if that is gone, wrap in acid-free tissue and immobilise the piece so it cannot shift. Movement, not weight, breaks sculptures.

Frequently asked

Q1 How often should I clean a figure?

Little and often: a two-minute dry-brush pass every fortnight is safer than a deep clean twice a year, because bonded dust needs moisture and friction to remove.

Q2 Can I use water to clean painted resin?

A barely damp microfibre cloth, wrung almost dry, is safe on painted resin. Never use solvents, alcohol or ammonia-based cleaners.

Q3 How do I clean clear parts and LED lenses?

Dry optical cloth only. Solvents cloud clear parts permanently.

Q4 How long do built-in LEDs last?

Tens of thousands of hours; the connector usually fails first. Plug and unplug by the housing, not the cable, and run the LEDs in sessions rather than permanently.

Q5 What humidity is safe for collectibles?

Stable is more important than a specific number. Rapid swings do more damage than a steady level; silica packets in a sealed case handle humid rooms.

Q6 How should I store or move a collection?

Original box and foam where possible, wrapped in acid-free tissue otherwise, immobilised so it cannot shift. Transport bases separately and never stack boxes.

Related reading on GALLERIA NOVE: the collection, the journal, and the studio notes.