So, I know lacquer thinner is hot. I know you’ve got to be careful using it over other types of paints. I know it’s got a strong smell, and I know it’s not good the breathe that stuff in. What I didn’t know (until today) is that Tamiya lacquer thinner can actually attack the plastic model itself.
Don’t use LT on a swab to clean up the dried putty.
LOL! Sorry to hear that Daniel. I had to learn the hard way as well.
I… did not know this either. I use it all the time to clean paint off areas to be glued, and have never noticed any damage. Then again, I’m being very light-handed to not damage nearby paintwork, and am immediately afterward cementing parts together so maybe I just don’t notice.
How hard were you scrubbing?
Sorry to hear about your travails! I hope the damage isn’t beyond repair.
Liquid plastic cement is essentially lacquer thinner. We did a video in which I used lacquer thinner to glue model parts together, and some modelers only use hardware store lacquer thinner as glue because it’s cheaper than hobby plastic cement. However, mixes do vary, and not all thinners will work as well as others. If you try that route, formulations do matter.
I’ve done that too,without problems
So, more than a bit of blame on me, I scrubbed a bit to loosen the dried putty, which (being fair) had been dry for maybe one minute. I thought instead of scraping and then wiping, I’d just wipe. Whoops.
Also, I know per the MSDSes(eses) that lacquer thinner and some cements have common ingredients, but somehow I just didn’t connect in my head that rubbing thinner on plastic will attack it. Still, it wasn’t too bad, and I hope that I can micromesh out the resultant mark. Gotta finish cleaning up and then sand before I prime.
Photos to eventually follow, it’s my Ki-61.
So sorry that happened. Every one of us have had similar setbacks. Good luck on your repair attempt.