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I recently purchased some used plastic models, all unpainted yet they were assembled. On some of the vehicle models I received, much is to be desired on the assembly- they were done poorly. Doors won't close, glue is all over the place.

So is there a way to salvage it? Will a dip in CSC break the joints?

All suggestions are appreciated.

You mean super clean by CSC? Its possible. The stuff can desolve glue. If its super glue, just carefully snap the parts off. If its too thick, cut at it with a razor, and then snap them off.

If its plastic glue, youll have to chop them off and try your best not to destroy them, as plastic glue actually melts the joins, and they become one part. Good luck

Superclean will weaken/disolve superglue. As mentioned before if its plastic glue your going to have to carefully cut the peices apart.

Don't cut yourself like I did.

Sticking everything in the freezer will also make the glue a bit more brittle, so it'll snap easier.

On a little side note of this post, how would I strip paint from old plastic models?

Stripping, in the US, for me, means a dip in Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover. 10 minutes, scrub with stiff nylon brush - generally equals a clean model.

Ted, for the glue issues, either the CSC followed by an hour in the freezer, OR cutting with a very sharp knife should work.

Alternately, you can get a craft knife bade that is a horizontal "chisel" razorblade and just spend tedious time whittling it away

KingCracker wrote:You mean super clean by CSC? Its possible. The stuff can desolve glue. If its super glue, just carefully snap the parts off. If its too thick, cut at it with a razor, and then snap them off.

If its plastic glue, youll have to chop them off and try your best not to destroy them, as plastic glue actually melts the joins, and they become one part. Good luck

Yep- Super clean was originally Castrol Super Clean and obtained the moniker of "CSC".

Thanks!

Geemoney wrote:Don't cut yourself like I did.

LOL...too late!

Zefig wrote:Sticking everything in the freezer will also make the glue a bit more brittle, so it'll snap easier.

Ahhh! I will try that!

Synister_Intent wrote:On a little side note of this post, how would I strip paint from old plastic models?

Go into the the "Articles" section and there are many great tutorials

porkuslime wrote:Stripping, in the US, for me, means a dip in Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover. 10 minutes, scrub with stiff nylon brush - generally equals a clean model.

Ted, for the glue issues, either the CSC followed by an hour in the freezer, OR cutting with a very sharp knife should work.

Alternately, you can get a craft knife bade that is a horizontal "chisel" razorblade and just spend tedious time whittling it away

Great to see you!

Thanks for the suggestion- you have become a valued resource!

I have an Exacto knife kit with two different chisel blades, given to me by my father in law before he passed- he was a wooden model airplane builder. They have been invaluable tools.

Getting a Dremel next- I was never into this modding stuff the last time I played.



Anyways, thank you all. As usual DD has been a great help!

hmm...i dont have any suggestions, sorry...this is exactly why i dont buy people junk off of ebay...i dont trust it unless i built it

Element206 wrote:hmm...i dont have any suggestions, sorry...this is exactly why i dont buy people junk off of ebay...i dont trust it unless i built it

It was part of a large 3rd edition 6000-8000 pt mostly IG purchase years ago from a friend who was getting out of the game. 95% of all the models are still in the blister packs and the boxes from when I bought then, but a few models were assembled- a Leman Russ and a Chimera among them. There was also an all metal Ravenwing Landspeeder that I used to see how CSC works as well.

If I can not salvage them, then they will become tabletop scenery.

Synister_Intent wrote:On a little side note of this post, how would I strip paint from old plastic models?

if you are in the US. Try a Tupperware bin full of Simple green. it's safe for Models and metal and relatively safe on skin compared to other stuff as well as being reusable ( Filter it back into the bottle with some paper towel and a funnel) and it's Cheap $10 for a gallon jug that will last a LONG time.

also it's damn good at getting out grease stains.

as for separating old models.. freezer and flex them at the join points. it should snap them clean.