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Hi all,

I have picked up some models for my Retribution army recently, and since I have the extra parts for other Heavy Myrmidon's, is there a way to remove pieces of warjacks I get safely to assemble them as a different one?

I have heard a few things, some people have said I could try simply green, but others have said Plastic is very different because it melds the pieces together.

Would that mean I'd almost have to force the pieces apart and hope there's no real damage done?

AFAIK, PP's "plastic" Jacks aren't polystyrene - so unless you are using an industrial strength plastic solvent (for ABS or PVC piping, for example), you probably used superglue for assembly.

There are a number of ways to weaken superglue bonds and some take less time than others, some can't be recommended for certain plastics, and some are just destructive.

If it's superglue, you could try freeze/thaw cycles to break the superglue bond (water is a catalyst for this stuff, and when it freezes, it creates miniature fracture zones inside the bond.)

Thanks for the information. Will that make the plastic brittle or anything do you think?

Yes, it tends to do that, too - which is why I said freeze/thaw.

Stick in freezer overnight. Remove and allow to thaw.
Repeat as necessary. The superglue bonds will get weaker each time. Try to get a tool with a fine but conical point to force pieces apart, but do not apply too much force. If it doesn't move, refreeze it and try again.

Solvent bonds are permanent and freezing DOES NOT work on them, though. ONLY PHYSICAL SEPARATION works on those type of bonds.

Cool, just put it in the freezer, so I will take it out tomorrow morning and check it after work.

I just used Super Glue so there shouldn't be any issues there.

I generally put stuff in a ziploc baggie (makes it easier to recover all the bits in case pieces fall off IN the freezer), though.


Just let it come back to room temperature before trying to remove bits to minimise the brittleness on the plastic.