Reshaping resin

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

The cowl below the windshield on a resin '67 Galaxie is flat but it should have a convex or upward curve to match the hood.  How can I reshape the cowl without distorting or breaking it. The resin is pretty soft. I do have an AMT '65 Galaxie I may be able to graft the cowl on to the resin body if I do screw it up. Thanks.

[yh70]

warm water should do it..after u re shape it hold it under cold water..

Edited December 15, 2016 by yh70

[PARTSMARTY]

x2

[Psychographic]

X3, it doesn't take nearly the amount of heat in the water compared to styrene, so work slowly and cautiously.

[Mark]

You might think about installing the firewall right after correcting the shape of the cowl, to support it.

[Art Anderson]

X3, it doesn't take nearly the amount of heat in the water compared to styrene, so work slowly and cautiously.

Absolutely!   Unlike styrene, which has a pretty long "range" for warming up the plasic for correcting misshapen parts,  polyurethane resin can go from solid to "limp spaghettii" in mere seconds.  I might suggest "forcing" the reshaping with the resin body at room temperature--a styrene firewall will be much stiffer.  

Art

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

Thanks for the tip guys. The firewall idea is genius. My challenge now is how focus the warm water on the cowl onky so as not to distort surrounding parts.

[Psychographic]

 I'm not an expert and different resins might be easier than others, but I think this might work for you. Cut two pieces of sponge to fit the cowl, one for above and one for below. Soak them in hot water and sandwich them on the cowl with some tongs, let it transfer the heat to the body for a few seconds and see if it becomes pliable enough to bend. Didn't work, try hotter water or holding it longer. No guarantees this will work, but worth a try.

 

If this idea does work, I would use the firewall or a similar shape to push the cowl up. You want to push the whole area in one shot to prevent waves in the panel.

Edited December 18, 2016 by Psychographic

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

The hot water worked. I put a bowl of water in the microwave for 2 minutes then dabbed a rag into and rubbed the bottom of the cowl with slight pressure. Did this 3 times then put the firewall in place.  I think I'll give it one more pass to get it just right. Thanks for the tip!