Keeping dust off black plexiglas in photos?

[mmagliaro]

So, I got myself a couple of sheets of 12" x 24" black plexiglas to use for photographing models on.

The engine looks wonderful on it, what with the cool reflection in the surface.  But I have one problem.

DUST.  Plexiglas is already a dust magnet as it is because sheets of plastic happily build up static charge like mad.  Wiping it down with a soft damp cloth seemed to help because the moisture got rid of the static charge.  But even after that, I still ended up with a lot of horrid little white specs in my photo.

What are your tips for how to keep dust off the stuff while taking photos?

I'm considering wiping the sheets down with some Static Guard and then following up with a lint free cloth, as long as Static Guard won't ruin the glossy finish of the black plexi.  I will not use Windex or other ammonia products on it, as I know that will dull the surface.

[Chris333]

I really have no idea. But they say to put one of those screen protectors on your phone screen. To do it in the bathroom after a shower because the humidity in the air will keep the dust off the screen (so you don't get air bubbles from trapped dust).

[peteski]

While you are correct about the static charge attracting dust, but then there is the other side of the equation: that dust is coming from somewhere. You might have to create a dust-free or a dust-reduced environment.  If there is no dust, there is nothing to settle on the surface.  Maybe create a dust-free airflow over the photo stage?  A fan with an air filter maybe?

[tom mann]

The answer to keeping dust off: photoshop healing brush.

[peteski]

The answer to keeping dust off: photoshop healing brush.

Yes, nowadays there's also the option of  a digital manipulation. 

[Chris333]

Use one of those California dusters.
https://www.calcarduster.com/

[MK]

Easy.  Get yourself a bottle of Novus #1 plastic polisher.  Despite it's name as a polisher, it's really a plastic cleaner.  (They have #2 and #3 and those really abrade and removes scratches with #3 removing deeper ones.)

A few years ago I built a display/storage cabinet in the main part of the house to display my locos.  I cut plexiglass as the sliding glass doors as I can slightly bend them to insert them into the slots.  Shortly thereafter they were dust magnets and every other day I would see dust accumulating and I had to clean them.  In comes Novus and after an applicaiton, the dust doesn't accumulate!  Now I only reapply about 2-3 times a year.

[tom mann]

The answer to keeping dust off: photoshop healing brush.

@mmagliaro in all seriousness, I keep a 2" fan brush near where I photograph.  Before every photo, I use it to dust off the model before I put it into the light tent (on a plastic pedestal).  Then, I run the brush around the model to sweep up stray dust. 

It's a fools errand to try to get every piece, hence my joke about the healing brush.

[chicken45]

You should do the DKS method of displaying your models in a dust free clean room.  All you need to do is to wear a bunny suit to view them.

[wcfn100]

So who's going to come over and get the dust off my screen.   


Jason

[peteski]

I do use "Dust Floggers" (a set of dusting brushes sold by Floquil). Not sure if they are still available anywhere.  I also use "compressed air" aerosol to blow stuff off the model and the base/background.  Back in the day of film photography you could also get a soft brush on a hollow stem attached to a rubber bulb. Those used to be handy to remove dust from negatives, etc.

[havingfuntoo]

If you wipe the plexiglass with a pure cotton cloth you will introduce, now I can not remember if it is a positive or a negative static charge and if you wipe it with wool you will reverse the charge. Wipe with one then the other and you should have neutralized any charge on the plexiglass. The normal disinfectant you buy from the supermarket that contains a quat will act as an anti-static. Some furniture polish and window cleaners also will have anti-static properties.

[Mark W]

Try a Black Granite Tile instead of plastic and you won't have to worry about scratches either.

[DKS]

I arm myself with anti-static wipes, soft artist's brushes, and canned air. And I photoshop the images.

[tom mann]

Try a Black Granite Tile instead of plastic and you won't have to worry about scratches either.

Mark, I’m gonna get a piece to try.