I also remove mine but honestly, trying to use the GW tool is like sweeping the floor with a toothbrush. Get a couple of fine modelling files instead. They clean up mould lines nicely and are also good for tackling any flash left over after removing bits from a sprue. Plenty of brands around, I got mine from Gaugemaster but others will do equally well.

https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/gaugemaster-gm632.html

54 minutes ago, Karhedron said:

I also remove mine but honestly, trying to use the GW tool is like sweeping the floor with a toothbrush. Get a couple of fine modelling files instead. They clean up mould lines nicely and are also good for tackling any flash left over after removing bits from a sprue. Plenty of brands around, I got mine from Gaugemaster but others will do equally well.

 

https://www.gaugemasterretail.com/gaugemaster-gm632.html

I do use model files in some instances but tend to go over the areas with a hobby knife after - sometimes even fine model files leave a surface looking very chewed up. The hobby knife (or very fine sanding blocks) does a good job of smoothing things over.

I use 400/600 grit sanding sticks from Albion Alloys and a craft knife to remove them. I usually take a lot of time cleaning things until they are just right, even the areas between the vents on the Space Marine power packs. Takes me about 15 minutes to clean a single infantry figure. In the future I will be getting some sanding needles from the same manufacturer and the Dspiae rotary sanding disc tool.

I offer moldline removal in three tiers when completing Assembly Commissions. 1- Just sprue attachment points scrapped flat, 2- moldlines removed from the assembled model, which means not EVERY line is got, but the prominant ones, and 3- EVERY piece has it's moldline removed PRIOR to assembly. 3 is the most thorough, but takes an excessive amount of time, and is best for characters. 2 is quite effeciant, and is usually enough for 90% of models in an army. 1, no one has ever chosen option 1, I'd never recommend it.

Personally for my models, I always do option 3, the end result is worth it.....and I don't paint armies for myself, usually single models and characters.

15 hours ago, MoriyaSchism said:

I use 400/600 grit sanding sticks from Albion Alloys and a craft knife to remove them. I usually take a lot of time cleaning things until they are just right, even the areas between the vents on the Space Marine power packs. Takes me about 15 minutes to clean a single infantry figure. In the future I will be getting some sanding needles from the same manufacturer and the Dspiae rotary sanding disc tool.

Sanding needles sounds like the perfect tool for all those tiny areas you can't poke anything else into. I usually just think 'well it's so tiny I'm not going to notice it' but I know it's there... taunting me 

4 hours ago, Grotsmasha said:

I offer moldline removal in three tiers when completing Assembly Commissions. 1- Just sprue attachment points scrapped flat, 2- moldlines removed from the assembled model, which means not EVERY line is got, but the prominant ones, and 3- EVERY piece has it's moldline removed PRIOR to assembly. 3 is the most thorough, but takes an excessive amount of time, and is best for characters. 2 is quite effeciant, and is usually enough for 90% of models in an army. 1, no one has ever chosen option 1, I'd never recommend it.

Personally for my models, I always do option 3, the end result is worth it.....and I don't paint armies for myself, usually single models and characters.

Only a nutjob would choose option 1!! To be honest I have found on some of the newer models there seems to be more thought put into the mould lines - I assembled Mozrog Skragbad yesterday and a lot of the lines were inside places where you glue the pieces together. I appreciated not having to spend 2 hours just cleaning up the model before I assembled it 

Yeah, compared to the yesteryear, today's plastics are significantly less effort to make presentable 

These days I do Grot’s option 3 on everything. I didn’t used to though and I really notice it on some of my older models. The worst thing is where I haven’t assembled something quite right in the past, like where two halves of a gun barrel don’t quite line up right. Really gives me the cringe factor looking at things like that now.