Anyone know of a way to clean this model up? I only have experience in SKP and obviously need to do some clean-up in another tool that is native to Collada/3ds/obj, can someone recommend one that isn't a half a grand?
Open your DAE file in Meshlab Then export it as a STL file http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/
Open that in Netfabb http://www.netfabb.com/basic.php They are both free.
You could try to repair it Netfabb by clicking on the first aid button.
If that does not work, Try Viscam Mesh http://www.marcam.de/cms/viscam-mesh.84.en.html 30 Day trial
This is a very powerful piece of software. It will most probably solve your problems.
If not upload your DAE file. There will be someone here able to at least tell you what the problem is. Or send it to me by PM or the email below.jacantdesign@gmail.com