Atlant Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Question is quite simple: How to take model apart without breaking it too much? Model was glued using Testors plastic cement, so parts are glued togheter quite good. I would like to remove wheels (with struts!) and engines (it's a civil bird). Also, what is a best way to remove (from top to bottom) future, decals, paint? For Future I would use Windex. What to do with decals? Any advice? Thanks, Leo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MHaz Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Leo, Did you use the tube cement or the liquid cement? The tube stuff is easier to break apart IMO. In either case, the best bet is to carefully score the joint with your hobby knife until you can either flex the joint loose or until you've cut all the way through. Even with the cement, it's fairly easy, if tedious to re-kit your model. Once you've gotten it apart, get down to your local auto parts store or Wal-Mart, and get a gallon jug of Super Clean Degreaser. Dump it into a rubbermaid-type container that will fit your largest parts, and drop them in. Let 'em sit about a day or so, and the SCD will dissolve most of the paint and decals away. It's what I swear by when I need to strip something. After your parts have been in a day, use an old toothbrush to lightly scrub the parts, especially in the crevices, then bathe them in lukewarm water and soap. Only caveat: wear rubber gloves when you use the stuff - it will eat your hand if you don't. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
terryt Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 If you want to entirely strip the model of paint and take it apart, try brake fluid. I've stripped finished models before using brake fluid and had a bonus of some of the parts separate at the joints. It will also remove putty and not harm clear parts or other plastic parts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Huey Gunner Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Micro Mark sell's this stuff called ELO. Probably alot safer than brake fluid. But I have heard great sucess stories useing brake fluid. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atlant Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 Gents, Thank you! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big Kev Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 If you've used tube glue, place the model in a plastic freezer bag and then store it in the freezer overnight. This makes the joins very brittle, and they literally just snap apart with a bit of twisting. Kev Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dragan_mig31 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 i repair and rebuild my old models by using MR.MUSCLE to strip the paint and than verry carefully i dissasemble the kit with a verry sharp modeling knife.i use CA glues all the time. here is a thread to see how i rebuild a model.. http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....hl=dragan_mig31 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fischer Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Time ago I also used Mr. Muscle to dis-assemble some models. It works quite good, but has a little problem. It damages clear parts sometimes. So you must be very carefull with them. Fischer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imatt88 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 Atlant, To disassemble models I use this stuff called Glue Zapper. It's a clear liquid that smells like fuel oil. I buy it from a place called Classic Hobby (www.classichobby.net) for about $10 bucks a bottle. Its great stuff. I love it. For stripping paint, I use old school Easy Off oven cleaner. If you choose to use it, use the regular strength stuff, not the fume free cleaner. Fume free doesn't cut it. Oh yeah, don't forget to wear gloves and eye protection when stripping. Nasty stuff There are other less offensive products out there that strip old paint and decals just as well. Simple Green comes to mind right now.. HTH, Cheers, Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dragan_mig31 Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Time ago I also used Mr. Muscle to dis-assemble some models.It works quite good, but has a little problem. It damages clear parts sometimes. So you must be very carefull with them. Fischer i have restored more than 15 models and never mr muscle damaged any clear parts... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atlant Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 Wow! A lot of great info here! Thank you all!!! Really appreciate it! Leo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Silverback Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 1. Old plastic stored in a freezer really makes those seams POP. Stuffing the model in a big ZipLok bag prior to freezing helps collect all those annoying little bits that drop off unexpectedly. 2. Scalecoat II Wash Away (available in the model railroad section of your LHS) and a good scrub with an old toothbrush will lift just about any paint, clearcoat and/or decal. As a plus, its only half as nasty as brake fluid. Phil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 how long does the freezer trick take? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Silverback Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 how long does the freezer trick take? Overnight ought to do it. The freezer trick works because untouched styrene and styrene that has been infused with solvent contract/expand at different rates. The stress this sets up actually weakens the glued bond at the microscopic level. After 12 hours in the freezer, your plastic is about as cold as its ever going to get. Phil - insert shivering smiley emoticon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PNW_Modeler Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 no joy....I had that thing in the freezer for almost a day.....it is just as together as it was before. I built it using the good old fashion orange tube Testors glue....maybe try something else? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big Kev Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 no joy....I had that thing in the freezer for almost a day.....it is just as together as it was before.I built it using the good old fashion orange tube Testors glue....maybe try something else? It won't just fall apart, mate...you've got to 'encourage' it. Once it comes out of the freezer, start twisting it gently this way and that, until you feel some of the joints start to give. Once you've opened up a crack here and there, you can start using various tools to pry things apart a bit more. The last model I tried it on came apart in about 10 minutes, with only one (very minor) area of damage. Kev Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fwtriebflugle Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 I discovered this by mistake, I placed a old model kit in a bag (it was a anti static bag used for avionics) and sprayed non toxic oven cleaner in there and placed it in the garage. Well I forgot all about it and it sat there all winter long. When I got to it not only did the paint strip after brushing it away, the model literally came apart at all the glue joints!!!! I was so amazed that I used this method several times to take apart old model kits. It came apart with very little damage or none at all sometimes. It won't just fall apart, mate...you've got to 'encourage' it. Once it comes out of the freezer, start twisting it gently this way and that, until you feel some of the joints start to give. Once you've opened up a crack here and there, you can start using various tools to pry things apart a bit more. The last model I tried it on came apart in about 10 minutes, with only one (very minor) area of damage. Kev Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChippyWho Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 It won't just fall apart, mate...you've got to 'encourage' it. I find a well-aimed wall usually helps... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Devilleader501 Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 LMAO @ Chippy that was funny. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bonehammer73 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I tried the freezer trick on an old assembled with too much tube glue and I can testify that it effing WORKS! I was able to pry the main parts loose with my hands. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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