What causes warped Bodies

[slusher]

I have a new sealed 69 cougar body warped in 3 places. i have tried patiently with warm water to unwarp it. What causes a new model in a sealed box to warp? No sign of box damage...

[Drake69]

Part pulled out of a hot mold too soon, maybe?

I've often wondered about this myself...

[Fat Brian]

Most of the warped bodies I've encountered have been due to the way the box was packed. The body gets too much pressure on it and takes on the squished shape.

[1930fordpickup]

Part pulled out of a hot mold too soon, maybe?

I've often wondered about this myself...

Most of the warped bodies I've encountered have been due to the way the box was packed. The body gets too much pressure on it and takes on the squished shape.

A little of both. If the plastic is not cooled fast enough it moves more than normal. A body not packed right will be warped from pressure and heat in storage.

[Stray]

I have had a few myself Slushy. Mostly in previously opened kits, only the one NIB. I can see how the suggestions posted can cause it, and sometimes it is an easy fix, but sometimes the body is way beyond repair. I actually have a ford pickup in a box and the chassis is the warped part, it could almost be used to make a drag car launching at the line it is that twisted. Torque!

[Tom Geiger]

the packing part...

I have stored a lot of my annual kits a specific way to avoid warping. I put the glass shot in, interior in place and then install the chassis. I figure that storing it in the way it would be built will keep it from warping... and I make sure when repacking the kit that all the trees and other parts are under this assembly, so nothing is smushing it.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I have a new sealed 69 cougar body warped in 3 places... No sign of box damage...

100% demolding too soon, still too hot, above its "glass transition temperature (T_g)". Styrene that's over about 100 C (212 F) will NOT support itself, and will warp and droop in any direction it's stressed in.

Trying to cycle the equipment too fast to increase production and raise profits by a minuscule amount is a possible culprit, or the techs just not paying attention to the temps.

A change in formulation of the styrene used during a run could also be the cause, because not ALL styrene formulations have exactly the same T_g .

To UN-warp it permanently (IF the warp is the result of being demolded hot) you'll have to get it up past its T_g again.

Edited May 19, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy