Standard cotton swabs tend to have their cotton tips come apart quickly, as they are only lightly spun. The tips of Tamiya Craft cotton swabs (industrial quality) are tightly and firmly spun, making them excellent for model building and other applications, such as cleaning gears, motors, and hard-to-reach areas.

When wet, soaked with paint or solvents, the tips maintain their shape. These cotton swabs can be used for applying decals, removing excess paint, detailing, and weathering models. Two types of tips and various sizes are available: round and triangular tips, with sizes ranging from extra small to medium.