Dissolving Glue? REPAIRED!!!REPAIRED!!!Picture

grizz30_06 wrote:

I know that I am a little late in this discussion but.  I have tried to remove parts before and I read somewhere that you can put them in the frezzer for a few hours then have a go at it.  I have tried this before and it works pretty good.  The frezzer makes the parts brittle so it's easier to "break" them apart. Grizz

And because solvent welds are generally weaker than the surrounding plastic, that's where the break tends to occur. A little light scribing before the parts go in the freezer might also help. 

Great tip, Grizz! 

I know that I am a little late in this discussion but.  I have tried to remove parts before and I read somewhere that you can put them in the frezzer for a few hours then have a go at it.  I have tried this before and it works pretty good.  The frezzer makes the parts brittle so it's easier to "break" them apart.

Grizz

Testors liquid cement is actually a solvent. It dissolves the plastic surface and creates a welded joint—essentially chemical welding. The welded surfaces are slightly more porous than the surrounding plastic. Thus, if you weren't too generous with the original application of solvent, reapplication may allow disassembly. But  it will require significant cleanup of the area.

Cutting and pinning with brass rod works well, and is ultimately stronger. If you have to cut the parts free, consider drilling the mounting pins out from the back. Replace them with the largest possible diameter brass rod, then fasten them with 5 minute epoxy applied on the inside. This should avoid damaging surface detail. 

If there is a hole in the inside of the hull where the part attaches, then you may be able to put some of the same (or maybe a stronger type) liquid cement in there to release the part. Liquid cement is pretty good stuff, and in my experience, creates a strong bond that is tough to remove.

You may want to try to cut the suspension part off, then sand down any rough spots and re-glue, but you won't have any strong attachment points.

Been there.  Testors Liquid Cement is pretty strong.  I can think of two ways to approach this problem. 

1. Try using a little Liquid Cement in the joint, let it sit for about 30 seconds and see if the will losen the joint. Or...
2. Cut the piece off.  Clean everything up.  Reglue it using brass rod drilled through the hull into the suspension arm for strength.

If you need further clarification, let me know.  A picture of the piece would help too.

Jesse