Is there a good way to disassemble a model built w/ tube glue?

[LDO]

I just got a cool builtup for a song, but I'd like to take it apart without breaking it.

[randx0]

Well Lee ,if that is your real name, what is the model in question, how bad is it ,are you planning a straight rebuild or a custom job these are the things I need to know. help me help you.

[Bob Turner]

Just put it in the freezer for at least four hours. The old glue will become brittle and most of the model should come apart easily.

That's the usual way of doing it & it works well. You can also try a few drops of Pacer Z-7 superglue debonder, or any other superglue debonder, as those can also work on regular glues. I'd first try the superglue debonder in a section that won't be seen after re-assembly, (such as a seat in an interior bucket), just to be on the safe side.

For really stubborn places, use a very sharp #11 blade, or a scalpel, & carefully score the seam until it pops loose.

[Bowtienutz]

like everyone said only I wash it with warm water before. the water will fill glue joints. Also it will freeze faster than tap water. try that first thenput zbonder in the tough joints and repeat.

Edited December 16, 2011 by Bowtienutz

[Keef]

drop it in the floor from about "workbench height", always seems to work for me

[mcandela]

Get yourself a gallon of degreaser from Sam's or Costco. The one in the black gallon, cost about 3 bucks. Drop the model in a recipient with the degreaser and leave there a couple of days and it will come apart by itself. This process will also strip the paint off. So You get 2 tasks done for the price of 1.

BEWARE, USE GLOVES THIS STUFF IS STRONG!!

[SuperStockAndy]

Here's what you do. Put a strip of firecrackers in the interior, light em. That should work juuuuuust fine....

[Guest Johnny]

I just got a cool builtup for a song, but I'd like to take it apart without breaking it.

Like has been said by the serious posters wash in warm water and put it in the freezer.

Then what doesn't come loose you can try some of the other methods mentioned.

I have found in the end patience and a good sharp hobby knife blade are the most effective.

Just don't let frustration drive you. Put it down and go to something else and come back later. Funny how that makes some parts separate later!

[SuperStockAndy]

you forgot your Sarcasm font..... unless you were serious.

Indeed I did. Thanks for reminding me.

[Agent G]

The only thing I can add is a tip. After washing the model, but before placing in the freezer, put the whole thing in a Ziplock bag. Don't ask me how I came to know this............................

G

[Casey]

I've never had any luck with the freezer trick. If everything is properly glued and the two piece of plastic have been melted into one piece by the glue, there is no longer a joint for the water to get into, and the plastic will break the weakest point...usually not where you want it to break.

Did I ever mention why I don't buy built models?

[moparmagiclives]

I've never had any luck with the freezer trick. If everything is properly glued and the two piece of plastic have been melted into one piece by the glue, there is no longer a joint for the water to get into, and the plastic will break the weakest point...usually not where you want it to break.

Did I ever mention why I don't buy built models?

CA glue wont though right? The freezer works for me, but again not on solvent glue that melts the two surfaces. I was not aware of debonders...good to know.

[LDO]

Get yourself a gallon of degreaser from Sam's or Costco. The one in the black gallon, cost about 3 bucks. Drop the model in a recipient with the degreaser and leave there a couple of days and it will come apart by itself. This process will also strip the paint off. So You get 2 tasks done for the price of 1.

BEWARE, USE GLOVES THIS STUFF IS STRONG!!

Which degreaser? I looked at Sam's website but didn't see any $3 black jug of degreaser.

Model is in the freezer now.

[scalenut]

wish I had known this trick sooner , I got a model from ebay that looked good in the photos but the builder actually poured glue over the parts rather than between the joints, took the phrase"glue bomb" to a whole new dimension !

I wonder if the freezer trick would have actually worked to pop the glue puddles loose