Rebuilding a Plastic Kit - how to break the glue bond?

[tatsumaru]

Greetings, I have a Hydra that I want to turn into something more useful, in this case a Manticore.

The models is unpainted, so no need to worry about a paint job getting wrecked. The model looks like it as built using a hobby CA glue, which I would normally use Acetone to break, but I'm afraid it'll eat the model too. Does anyone know a way to break CA glue bonds that is also safe for the plastic kits?

Thanks!

[Mod_Plarzoid]

Freeze it in your freezer. This will make the CA glue bonds very brittle, and with enough force, you should be able to break the bonds. Just remember: the plastic itself will also get more brittle and easier to break. Be careful, go slow and don't be afraid to stop and call it good enough. On the second hand myrmidon I got, I was unable to pry off the arms. I was lucky enough to get it without the shoulderpads glued on, but those ball and socket joints are tenacious!

Good Luck!

[tatsumaru]

Thanks, I hadn't thought of that! I've got it soaking in some Purple Power right now, since that has yet to wreck any of my plastics and I just had some on hand.

[squidstudios]

I've had reasonable luck with Simple Green breaking glue bonds on metal models, but I was in too big a rush to try it the one time I needed to reposition the arm of a plastic jack. I ended up cutting it off, puttying the shoulder back to shape, and carving out the inside of the arm. It worked, but I decided patience might be a better application next time.

Please report on how yours turns out! And better luck to you.

[Wumby79]

I've soaked plastic Space Marines for days in Simple Green with no effect to the model itself,while breaking up the glue bond. While I have had no effect soaking for 2 weeks in Simple Green, there have been others who have experienced problems.

[KamenRiderNecro]

Simple Green does tend to melt glue bonds rather well, I will concur with the others here. After a day or three in there, minis tend to break apart pretty easily, which is good if that's what you want. Also doesn't harm plastic, so go for it, I say.

[BaneWorldSlayer]

Breaking glue bond? Care, and a little muscle.

The safer route is a chemical solvant like Simple Green, which will clean ANYTHING

[Luftwaffles]

Ive had some luck soaking models in Brake Fluid. This also cleans paint off great. Just be careful if the model is plastic.. while it should dissolve the glue first, the plastic will get soft-ish as well so handle with care until they dry again.

Note: My experience is with true plastic figures.. I have NO IDEA if things will react differently with PP's resin/plastic hybrid stuff.

[Modhail]

Whatever solvent you want to use: If you have some offcuts or unused parts, try it on those first.
And for brake fluids: don't skimp on safety! Use gloves, and don't do it anywhere near a food preparation area, that stuff is about as toxic as Toruk's armpits...

Good luck!

[rvrchamp]

DO NOT USE BREAK FLUID... you've got a plastic model and that stuff will MELT the entire thing. The above posters think you're have a metal model... again, DO NOT USE BRAKE CLEANE ON A PLASTIC MODEL!!!!

As far as how to break the bond on PLASTIC models... sorry to say but you're sorta in a hard place man. I messed up on my khador jack too, and i tried nail polish remover with no luck. I'm afraid you're gonna have to break the pieces or buy a new kit. Atleast I haven't had any luck.

[kc7sbp]

Purple power has worked fine for me at stripping paint off all models and moderately well at loosening the glue bonds.

[Luftwaffles]

DO NOT USE BREAK FLUID... you've got a plastic model and that stuff will MELT the entire thing. The above posters think you're have a metal model... again, DO NOT USE BRAKE CLEANE ON A PLASTIC MODEL!!!!

As far as how to break the bond on PLASTIC models... sorry to say but you're sorta in a hard place man. I messed up on my khador jack too, and i tried nail polish remover with no luck. I'm afraid you're gonna have to break the pieces or buy a new kit. Atleast I haven't had any luck.

I'm not sure what plastic models your using, but I've used brake fluid on mine numerous times without any melting. Left them in for a couple minutes and they were only the slightest bit extra-flexible.

Here is an excellent chart of the various solvents you can use on your models, how effective they are in x amount of time, and if they will damage your figures or not:

http://www.paintingclinic.com/clinic/guestarticles/removingpaint3.htm

Actually, that whole site is great.. More tutorials than you could shake a stick at :)

[btk_kilroy_winterhart]

I love the fact some of you use purple power to strip models and break glue. where i work we sell it. alot of it in fact. here is a simple rule for using striping agents. if it come in a metal can it can't be good on plastic models, while stuff in plastic cans can be used on anything.

[btk_kilroy_winterhart]

Resoirves of barkes master cylinders are plastic on alot on vehicles now. trust me i work in a parts store.

[Zero_Dragon]

Kilroy, there are thousands of different formulations of 'Plastic' and many different formulas for Brake Cleaner...

Use the wrong cleaner on the wrong plastic and you get problems...