I am back to the hobby after a 35 year absence and hve some old models that I would like to take apart and rebuild, will take any advice people are will to share.
Cheers McCaber[:D]
Hey I have been rehabing someold revell kits from the 50’s & 60’s mostly ships. 1st I soak the model in brake fluid & I use brake fluid because it helps separate some of the parts which are glued. You will lose some parts in the process but that’s where “scratchbuilding” come in handy. Depending on the models . Brake fluid also strips the old paint which in my case was Testors. I then try very carefully to dissamble the model and rehab as many of the parts I can. I then try to use axcato knives and clean up the joints where the parts mate so they can be refitted. Durnind this process I try to see where improvement on parts of the kit can be done. Example removing cast on hand rails & replacing with photoetch , remaking weapons out of styrene etc . The main thing is clean up the joints remove old glue. There are other removers out there but make sure they don’t harm the plastic if it is plastic Jamest
I’ve stripped and disassembled old models using Fume Free oven cleaner and a small soft toothbrush. I put the model in a plastic container (you’ll need enough space for the model and parts that come off. And you will need enough room for your hands) spray on the oven cleaner, let it set (length of time depends on the age of the paint job) and then gently brush off the paint. You may have to rinse with water and repeat using the oven cleaner, but it has worked well for me. Even though the oven cleaner I use is fume free, I still have a fan turned on or I do it outside. Can’t be too safe. I have used this technique on plastic and resin models with no problems.
You might try applying some liquid plastic cement to certain key points to soften up the plastic, then try to pull the parts apart. I’ve also used a heated x-acto knife to slice seams(use ventillation).
I went to a restruant supply firm & bought a retangular stainless salad bar container 24" long x about 6" deep & about 6" wide for stripping and dissambling ship & planes. to me it is worth the money.I then can pour the brake fluid or any other medium I may use & soak models in this
Hey guys, for what it’s worth…I’ve had a TON of success with Castrol’s Super Clean…can be found in auto supply stores. I’ve hit a bunch of old models with this stuff and it will totally break down coats of paint without marring the surface detail. I’ve worked on ship decking, aircraft surfaces and old car models. The best part: it’s biodegradable, no fumes, and models can be washed up with basic soap/H2O. What I normally do is soak/bathe a part/parts in a plastic milk container (cut in half) filled with Super Clean for 15-30 mins (longer for thicker, older coats of paint) and simply WIPE off the old paint, and in the case of hard-to-reach places, I’ll hit it with an old toothbrush, and with a few strokes, I’m good to go! And don’t flush that stuff down the drain—it can be reused a few times too!