Denting resin?

[russosborne]

Looking at modeling a real car that a friend of mine had in high school. going to have to use a resin body. His car had major quarter panel damage on one side. Can resin be worked with to show damage or would I need to cut out the area and use sheet plastic?

Thanks,

Russ

[Ace-Garageguy]

"Resin" is a thermo-set plastic, which means that it's pretty much done moving around once it sets up. If you get it hot enough past its "glass transition temperature", you can get it to warp somewhat, but nowhere near as easily as polystyrene will. Polystyrene used in models is a thermo-plastic, which means that it's pretty much infinitely re-meltable and can be formed hot easily. "Resin" won't melt, and probably will not soften enough to make "dents".

More boring science. "glass transition": http://www.pslc.ws/macrog/tg.htm

Thermoset plastic vs. thermoplastic: http://www.modorplastics.com/thermoset-vs-thermoplastics

Edited December 5, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy

[russosborne]

That was what I had thought, but wanted to make sure.

Thanks.

Russ

[zenrat]

However, resin bodies tend to be thicker than styrene bodies so you may be able to simulate dents by grinding or caring away the resin.

[ChrisBcritter]

I've only tried this once, but it seemed to work: I burnished a piece of aluminum foil over a fender and left a lip around the edges. I then removed the foil and bent it, causing it to buckle like sheetmetal does. Then I poured resin in it and basically slushcast a fender that had pretty realistic damage when it set up. Just cut off the good part and replace it with the damaged one.

[russosborne]

Hmm, that is a good idea as well.

Thanks!

Russ