How to remove glued dreadnought arms(metal mini)

[Bulldogging]

Is it possible to do without damaging? I heard brake fluid works if you let it sit long enough, but I'd like some input. Thanks.

[mitchell93]

If the dread is plastic and glued with polly cement (plastic glue) then simple green does the job, but its only available (at a decent price) in the US.

If it's glued with supper glue then there are many solvents available that are cheap.

[Hemal]

Poly cement will NOT unset - it causes the two pieces to be bonded at a molecular level. SUper glue will come off using Dettol, Simple green, brake fluid - pretty much anything like that which softens the glue bond. Poly cement clogging up a metal piece or similar that's a different story - I used acetone last night and a thin sewing needle to remove the clogged-up glue from my Humbrol needle applicator....

 

Cheers

 

Hemal

[chromedog]

I use fuse wire (8amp) to unblock the needle on my Contacta pro bottle (and when it's really bad, I remove it and run a flame along it (match, lighter, candle - just do it OUTSIDE and AWAY from FLAMMABLES. It goes 'phut!' and burns out the residue.)

 

Polycement CANNOT be unbonded chemically. The solvent WELDS the two components together forming ONE piece. You have to PHYSICALLY separate them by cutting.

Superglue on metal pieces is easily done. ACETONE. Strips paint off also. Also turns plastic into goo.

It's the debonder used by paramedics and hospitals to remove superglue (surgical superglue isn't quite the same formula, but acetone works against it just the same).

[Baal Dropout]

He did say metal mini... I assume you used super/CA glue? Try putting it in the fridge/freezer for half an hour or so: it makes the glue brittle and easier to break apart...

Hth

[Hyaenidae]

I usually steal some of my wife's nail polish remover....it does the trick against standard super glue.

[ShinyRhino]

Nail polish remover works wonders on superglue, on metal minis ONLY.

[Bulldogging]

Correct it is a Metal dreadnought. It's one I'm buying second hand so I'm not sure what they used, but I'd assume some form of super glue since it's all metal.

 

So I have multiple options, that is good. The chemicals(simple green, nail polish remover etc), I would just try to soak it into the shoulder? Thanks.

[Hyaenidae]

Are you trying to still save the paintjob? If not, soak the whole dread in a small tub of nail polish remover. Leave it for about 3 hours, then return with a stiff brush and a bad attitude. The arms should pop right off, then just scrub the hell out of it to remove the paint. After you're satisfied with the removal, wash the whole thing with some warm water and soap to remove the remaining polish remover.

[Olgerth Istaarn]

If all else fails, X-Acto makes an ickle sawblade that fits into a standard handle. It's not the big bonesaw and not the jeweler's saw, it's shaped roughly like a standard x-acto blade and is about the same size. You can buy it at most craft stores, like Michael's.

 

I have been able to make fairly precise cuts with it, namely separating arms from bodies on marine-sized minis... cut slowly, be very patient and pay attention to which direction you are cutting, and you'll have a good chance of separating the joint without wrecking the body or the arm.

[Hemal]

The final alternative is to shear - twist the arm and body in different directions and the joint itself will shear, and superglue is crap under shear.

 

I did this with a BA dread I have soaking in dettol. I have to pin the arms back on of course, but it now gives me the option of using the plastic arms from the more recent kits.

[Bannus]

Getting access to the joints to dissolve the super glue will be tricky with nail polish remover.

 

I would use oven cleaner (Easy-Off is great) - the fumes will get to the hard-to-reach places and destroy the bond.