Help correcting minor body warping

[dawgvet]

So I recently bought a vintage 1985 Coors NASCAR Thunderbird that I just noticed the body was slightly warped on. The body has a slight 'twist' and the right front and left rear fenders are higher that the other diagonal fenders. They are off around 1/8". What is the best way to correct this? I assume I'll need to gently heat the body and slowly twist the opposite direction. I don't want to ruin this body so any help appreciated.

Thanks,

Jed

[Plowboy]

If it's only an eighth off, you should be able to twist it back without heat. If you do need heat, use a hair dryer.

[Dave G.]

I've set slightly warped bodies on their chassis/floor pans, hold in place on assembly and tacked them down with quick set glue, be that liquid glue or super glue/gel etc.  You need to test fit first and see how pliable it is and if it will be easy to pinch in place. So essentially I did no pre correction. An 1/8" is getting to the point it might be too springy though, you just have to try it on a test fit. I hate warped bodies and the whole heat scenario . There are stresses running through the body that need to be relaxed, if you over heat it makes the plastic brittle when cooled, under heat and it does no good and in a day or two it's back where you started from.. Some guys seem to do well soaking warped parts in a pan of hot water and kind of hold it counter twisted as it cools.

[Mixalz]

Had this with my R34 model. Hot water bath worked. Start with warm watet and slowly add water from your kettle (stir and leave model out so you dont warp the model whilst pouring) until it is malleable enough to work.

Once aligned allow to coold on bench (hold in place).

Afterwards mildly thermal cycle to ensure model is stable. I did this by placing in food dehydrator for 3 hours at 40 deg C and then after cooled to room temp placed in fridge for 3 hours. Check body. If correct then it is stable. If not then repeat (the models store some stress and can deform after thermocycling).

Im no material scientist but it has worked for me in the past.

Cheers