seperating glued parts

Ugh, If you really must redo the engine and it is glued together well, I would suggest ordering the parts for the engine from the company who makes that model. For example; if Tamiya makes it, call them up and order and sheet of parts that contains the pieces for the engine. I don't know of any way to unassemble plastic that has been glued. Is there no way that you can paint the engine without disassembling it?

well it could be painted as is but i just thought it would look better if it were done apart. some of the pieces have come off easily with a little pry with an exacto.

Well...one to do it would be to take the easy way out. Build the model with the engine covered. That way your decision is sorta made for you. This depends on the kit and, I guess, whether you really want the engine to be seen. Maybe after trying some of these other ideas you may in the end decide to cover it. Good luck!

One other thought, you might try to find an aftermarket (resin) engine for it. Glued plastic usually won't come apart. Testors (and most others) aren't really cement. They are solvents that work by melting the plastic. When the "glue" dries, the plastic is welded together. It's supposed to be as strong as a single piece of plastic. (Tell that to all the little, fiddley parts I keep having fall off!!) lol.

Good luck with it.

Bill

If in the case of CA glues they make a wonderfull little product called debonder...great stuff!

10-4 on that, Horus. I mucked up a link right in the middle of a set of Fruil tracks. Soaked the offending section in debonder for a while (over night, I think) and it and about 3 links on either side came right apart. Realigned and reglued everything and was right back in business! Much nicer than any other alternative!!

Have a great one!

If he used regular Testors tube cement, freeze the model overnight and take it out just before you get ready to dissassemble it. The freezing should make the cement joints very brittle. Use one of the chisel shaped X-Acto knife blades to pry apart the kit. Be careful not to cut yourself.

Thanks Rob I will try that first seeing how it is the main one I have readily available, hopefully I can get it to work.