I have a few stuctures lying around that I built when I was much younger. This was back in the day when I’d rip open the box and glue the parts together. Obviously, they are not well built, not painted with not much in the way of weathering either. Some of these are decent quality models though (well, they were before they were built) and would be nice additions to my new line if I could get them up to my current standards.
What is the best way to go about dissasembling these models? If I remember correctly, these models would have been built with testors model glue that comes in the metal tube. Is there something that will dissolve the glue without harming the models? Would simply soaking them in warm water to soften the glue work? Most of these models are 10+ years old, so any adhesive is probably pretty brittle by now.
As crazy as this may sound put them in the deep freeze for a coule of days. Then pull one out and begin to disassemble them with an x-acto knife along the seams. Most of the time I find that just flexing the walls a bit will make the glued seams break loose. If the model gets too warm then just put it back in for a day and then try again.
Dave, I’m going to stick my neck out here and suggest something, not knowing the condition of your model structures. An alternative to tearing them apart, it may be easier to use model putty, or add some add-on pieces to hide or camoflage poor workmanship, etc. This would of coarse depend on their condition and your wants or views of perfection. Just offered as an alternative. Ken
I haven’t looked at all of the ones I want to redo yet, but most of the work involves simple painting, weathering and decals that I can do on an assembled model, but there are some peieces that will definately have to be removed for one purpose or another. Once I get those removed. I’ll probably just do the best I can with the remainder of the models. Maybe I’ll post before and after pics so everyone can see my modeling abilities at age 12 and at 26. [:I]
Ever since no-sniff glue replaced the real stuff, any model I assembled with testors tube glue fell apart on its own with no help from me.
I think you have a chance with the freezer method. Maybe a few freeze/ quick thaw cycles will wear out the glue.
I wonder if ultra violet rays would deteriorate the glue like it does everything else? Take them to a tanning salon!
I have been in a position where I goofed something up and had to take it apart. Sometimes just running a new #11 xacto blade in the joint slowly and lightly will do the trick. Liquid solvent glues weld the pieces together and are much harder to seperate once the plasitc weld hardens.
I just took a closer look at the major structure I wanted to save, and gsetter, you’re right… it’s all but falling apart already. Shouldn’t be too hard at all to get the major pieces off for painting. The smaller detals may require a bit more work.