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OK, I got scyth tails super glued to my carnifexs tail and I want to remove them. Anyone know of a solvent to remove the two plastic parts without damaging them?

Quick question...super glue or plastic glue? I know you said super glue, but just want to be 100% sure.

Acetone will melt the super glue, but it might soften the plastic...

Got any old sprues you can test it on?

For super glue, a steady hand and a good knife will usually do the trick, I´ve completely disassembled imperial guard that way.

The superglue doesn´t really bond THAT well with the model, and if you´re careful you can remove parts by applying a bit of pressure.

However, if it´s plastic glue, or plastic cement, then you´re in a bit more trouble. Plastic glue actually melts the parts as it bonds, so it is much more difficult to take apart.

That´s my experience at least. I believe there was something about warm water sometimes being enough to get superglue off plastic? Not sure though, haven´t needed it yet.

I also found leaving a mini in castrol super clean for a week will soften super glue (CA) bonds to the point where they come a part very easily. Will also strip the paint of the mini as well.

It is Locktite super glue. Tried the knife trick but there are two many crevices in the tail so the bond is real strong that it was starting to crack the actual tail.

BraveRifles wrote:I also found leaving a mini in castrol super clean for a week will soften super glue (CA) bonds to the point where they come a part very easily. Will also strip the paint of the mini as well.

Just want to confirm: Will it damage the plastic?

I've found that sometimes after giving a mini a long bath in Simple Green (like a few days to a week) it'll even take off super glue. Doesn't always work, but at least if you try it and it doesn't work the Simple Green won't melt the plastic.

wyomingfox wrote:Just want to confirm: Will it damage the plastic?

I have not had it damage the minis or the detail on the minis. I would suggest reading http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Dakka_Modeling_FAQ:_How_to_Strip... as it will hurt your hands if you don't wear protection.

Thank you all for your input. I really appreciate it!

ice then hot water then ice and one more hot water bath and pull. it works if your carefull enuff you might have to cut a little but not to much.

A note, I did some conversion work with green stuff on said carnifex and then later decided I wanted a different pose as well as to remove some biomorphes that had been superglued on.

As such, I immersed it in Super Clean for a week. Unfortunately, the Super Clean ended up removing the green stuff from the model.

There is a super glue killer but I don't know what it is called.
Saw a thred here with a pic tho.

The least messy simply involves ziploc bag and freezer.

Acetone WILL remove it, but it will also dissolve the plastic.

There are other solvents, like simple green or Superclean that should work (I've not tried them, so can't speak from experience, but others have and seem to like it).

chromedog wrote:The least messy simply involves ziploc bag and freezer.

Acetone WILL remove it, but it will also dissolve the plastic.

There are other solvents, like simple green or Superclean that should work (I've not tried them, so can't speak from experience, but others have and seem to like it).

Could you expound on the ziploc bag and freezer technique?

where do you guys dump the stripped paint and the solvents after its done?

Super Clean is bio degradeable... so down the sink

wyomingfox wrote:
Could you expound on the ziploc bag and freezer technique?

Sure. Put bits that are superglued that you want to separate into a ziploc bag. Seal and put in freezer. Leave overnight.
Remove from freezer and lightly and carefully chip at superglue. It should flake off.

When superglue activates/cures, it incorporates water from the air inside it. When you freeze it, the water molecules expand, exerting internal shear forces and this weakens the glue bond. AS many of my metal army pieces are second hand, I usually have to remove the copius amounts of superglue-encrustation from them. It works best on metal as the contraction of the metal helps, but the plastic will also contract slightly and help to pull away from the glue. While I wouldn't say this method is chemically solvent free - because I am somewhat of a chemistry pedant and 'water' is a chemical solvent. Also, if it isn't quite easy enough to shift after one go, put it back in the freezer and go again.

I like to separate multiple-bit pieces before I strip the paint. This is the most efficient way for me to do it. But I'm a "grumpy old man" and I'm content to wait for things to work.

chromedog wrote:

wyomingfox wrote:
Could you expound on the ziploc bag and freezer technique?

Sure. Put bits that are superglued that you want to separate into a ziploc bag. Seal and put in freezer. Leave overnight.
Remove from freezer and lightly and carefully chip at superglue. It should flake off.

When superglue activates/cures, it incorporates water from the air inside it. When you freeze it, the water molecules expand, exerting internal shear forces and this weakens the glue bond. AS many of my metal army pieces are second hand, I usually have to remove the copius amounts of superglue-encrustation from them. It works best on metal as the contraction of the metal helps, but the plastic will also contract slightly and help to pull away from the glue. While I wouldn't say this method is chemically solvent free - because I am somewhat of a chemistry pedant and 'water' is a chemical solvent. Also, if it isn't quite easy enough to shift after one go, put it back in the freezer and go again.

I like to separate multiple-bit pieces before I strip the paint. This is the most efficient way for me to do it. But I'm a "grumpy old man" and I'm content to wait for things to work.

woot science at work!

wyomingfox wrote:Super Clean is bio degradeable... so down the sink

Any drain inside your house not the toilet. You can also take it to a disposal site this is also usually your "city yard"

geez, superglue is weak to temperature changes... throw it in the freezer for a while it should just chip off...

Thanks Chromedog

Not sure about super glue, but whenever I use plastic glue/plastic cement, I just tear it off. Just be slow and gentle, and you'll have no worries.