How to Properly Take Care of Your 3D Puzzles After Assembling Them
As a seasoned 3D puzzler, you’re very much aware that the joy doesn’t end with you assembling the puzzle. Displaying it and marveling at its astonishing beauty and structural complexity is the reward that keeps on giving as long as you remain its rightful owner.
But here’s an important topic that seems to slip under the radar far too often – and that is maintenance. In other words, if you don’t take proactive steps towards ensuring your 3D masterpiece gets taken care of properly, it could deteriorate, get rusty, or worse.
To prevent that from happening, we’ve prepared some tips and quick pointers that will help keep your 3D puzzle in great condition for years to come. Let’s get started!
1. Store your 3D puzzles in a dry area with optimal temperature
Moisture is the enemy that creeps in and ruins even the most delicate of structures. This is especially true for wooden 3D puzzles – they tend to be particularly sensitive to it. A dry environment does not apply exclusively to storing 3D puzzles; be mindful to ensure it when assembling or painting them as well.
Naturally, dryness is not the only consideration to keep in mind. Generally you should strive to keep them in a controlled environment and that includes maintaining an optimal temperature. If the temperature fluctuates too much, this can have a negative effect on the wood.
As tempting as it may be to showcase your 3D puzzle under the bright looming sunlight, know that extreme heat can be a problem, the kind that could warp your precious puzzle and even cause some discoloration over time.
2. Consider painting your 3D puzzle
Not only can this give you extra fun time spent on interacting with your newly-assembled toy; by painting it, you can make it more aesthetically appealing and durable as well. After all, an extra layer of paint is what shields 3D puzzles from scratches and bumps a bit more. And if they do happen regardless, repairing the damage can be as simple as repainting the problematic piece.
However, do keep in mind that painting is an art that should be approached with care. First of all, make sure to avoid diluting the paint with too much water. You want the layer to be thick enough, but not too thick. At least that’s the rule of thumb. Also, when applying paint, keep in mind that the wood will generally absorb some of the paint. So, if you’re on the fence about whether you should apply more or less, erring on the side of caution is usually best – more is the way to go.
3. Give your 3D puzzles some love through dry brushing
By giving your beloved 3D puzzle a bit of a dry brushing from time to time, you will take an important step towards preserving their elegance and longevity. A soft dry brush is all you need for the job. This is the tool that will swiftly do away with any dust and debris that’s residing on the 3D puzzle’s surface, and if it truly is soft, you won’t have to worry about scratching it in the process.
Can’t be bothered with manually going through the cleaning motions? A can of compressed air is a solid alternative. In fact, it’s even the recommended way to handle the most delicate parts.
4. Remember that your 3D puzzles are delicate structures, so handle them with care
Every once in a while, you’re going to be moving your 3D puzzles around, and that’s okay (if nothing else, to give them a swift brush-up). As you do, make sure to handle them with the kind of care they deserve.
Don’t squish them and don’t press too hard, especially on parts or surfaces that are on the thinner side and thus potentially prone to breaking.
5. Apply an extra layer of protection
As we’ve discussed above, painting your 3D puzzles is a good start, but ideally, you should also supplement that via other means. By doing so, you will make sure that they last for years to come.
To ensure their durability, a very good option is to apply an acrylic spray. By doing so, you will create an extra protective layer without impeding on the surface’s natural beauty. In other words, you’ll grant them a shield against abrasions and other environmental factors without any aesthetic drawbacks.
Not a fan of acrylic? Then consider applying some varnish. If you go down this route, please ensure not to dilute it in water too much – this is crucial. The reason being is that overly diluting could diminish its protective qualities. But get it right, and you’ll grant it an additional layer of protection, allowing you to be free from worrying about scratches and dings.
6. Mind where you showcase your assembled puzzles
Managed to assemble a pretty difficult puzzle that looks stunning to boot? It may be hard to resist the temptation to showcase it in the center-most area of your home, but it’s probably not the best idea. The last thing you’d want to see is someone bumping into your masterpiece and shattering the pieces.
So what’s the recommended place to showcase them? Ideally, it should be:
- Easily visible
- Safe
Accidental bumps, scratches and spillage are its greatest environmental enemies, and it’s your job to shield your creation from their impact. A glass display cabinet works wonders for the purpose.
7. Worried about the weakest links? Reinforce them!
Every 3D structure is going to have one of the so-called weakest links. Those tiny, brittle pieces you’re worried might fall apart or get loose just by looking at them. But worry no more, as there is a solution – you can reinforce them by applying some glue.
Don’t just squeeze it on, mind you… applying just a tiny bit with the help of a toothpick is the best approach. Depending on each individual piece, applying some adhesive tape could also be a suitable solution.
Conclusion
You’ve poured a tremendous amount of time into assembling a magnificent 3D structure. If you care about its longevity and want it by your side for years to come, it makes a whole lot of sense to invest at least a little bit of time into proper maintenance and care. This way, you’ll protect your 3D puzzles from breaking, getting scratched, falling apart, discoloration, and other forms of wear and tear.