Model repair

[johnfin]

My dog got a hold of my model car and put a dent and puncture in the door. How can I isolate heat to take it back to original? I have never had luck in the past working with soft plastic.

[NOBLNG]

Can you post a picture of the damage?

[johnfin]

[Raoul Ross]

Is his name Fang, per chance?

Sorry, I couldn't resist... heh ?

[slusher]

In my opinion I would get another body and paint it.  What model is it?

[Bugatti Fan]

If the kit is not an expensive one, just replace it and put the salvageable bits in your spares box.

Dogs unfortunately cannot distinguish a scale model from anything else they can chew.

[johnfin]

Body cost as much as I paid for kit. This would be true custom modeling. It's not going to a show.

[wrenchr]

The A pillar is more of an issue than the teeth marks. 

[NOBLNG]

I would get two small pieces of smooth metal. Put one on either side of the puncture mark and squeeze them together with a pair of pliers or Vise Grips. That should mostly flatten the damage. Then use some two part putty like Milliput or auto body filler to fill the remaining depression on the outside. Depending on how flat you get it, regular putty may do the job. The inside can be sanded back down level if needed. The A pillar I think can be gently coerced back to shape. Good Luck!? What kind of dog have you got??

Edited March 18, 2022 by NOBLNG

[Smoke Wagon]

I have a few chew toys around the house to dissuade my lab from getting a taste for styrene. She gets to chew, I get to glue. 

[modelcarcrazy]

It appears like all the plastic is still there. Before doing anything drastic, I would try using hot water and try to bend the plastic back into the original shape with my fingers as close as possible. After working it into shape, hold it under cold water to cool the plastic back down. With some careful work and determination it could possibly be straightened out. You have nothing to lose now. 

[Hawk5.0]

I would buy a new kit and use this one as a old beat up version. Then you could practice some weathering and adding a few more dents and scratches elswhere on the damaged body. 

[W Humble]

Heat and pressure, but not too much of either, then file and fill.  I've fixed so much worse than that (and on sixty-year-old styrene, too!) and had it look fine.  Even if the bottom rocker/body lines are damages, some metal (brass, aluminum) backing and epoxy can facilitate the repair.  Don't spend any $$!  Luck!