BrotherCaptainArkhan Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Hiya, Just wondering if anyone knows a fairly reliable method of dissolving polystyrene cement (i.e. GW plastic glue) bonds on plastic figures. I picked up a ton of Assault Marines at Salute this year, stripped them (paint came off beautifully with 24hrs+ in meths) but the glue bonds on some of them are VERY strong. Just wondering if there's a good thing I can use to attack the glue bonds without damaging the plastic(!?) Any help welcome. Cheers! Arkhan Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kastor Krieg Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 You might be out of luck. The "plastic glue" melts the plastic, the "bond" is not PLASTIC | GLUE | PLASTIC, it's rather PLASTIC >< PLASTIC. The pieces effectively become one. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3370482 Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Foes Remain Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I find warm water (quarter of a Ferror Roche plastic container of boiling water topped off with tap water until warm) does the trick. Just leave them to soak for about 5-10 minutes and get teasing the limbs you want removed. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3370490 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrotherCaptainArkhan Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share Posted May 13, 2013 Thanks very much for the speedy replies gents. Unfortunately, Cpt., the bond in question is so strong there's no way in hell hot water would do the trick (if only!). I've decided to saw through each Marine at the waist and GS it from there. Kastor has it right - funny how plastic glue can be even worse than superglue in this regard. Arkhan Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3370540 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaeron Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I heartily recommend sawing and then mending where appropriate with Liquid GS, or equivalent. Frustrating as it can be, given it barely holds them together when trying to start gluing those pieces... Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3370544 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkeus Posted May 14, 2013 Share Posted May 14, 2013 I know it sounds strange, but have you tried putting them in the freezer. This should make the bonded joints brittle, and therefor the components should snap off :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3370907 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenith Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 I know it sounds strange, but have you tried putting them in the freezer. This should make the bonded joints brittle, and therefor the components should snap off Again, works with superglue and contact adhesives, but the poly cement 'melts' both sides of the join together. It breaks down the plastic, which then resets when the two sides have become one. That's why polystyrene cement does not work on metal, but superglue works on plastic. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3376518 Share on other sites More sharing options...
madscuzzy Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Ironically, the best way to break down plastic glue... is to use plastic glue. Use the thin type. It will seep into the cracks and soften the joint. Despite it 'welding', it is a porous joint, unless the previous owner rubbed the contacts together a lot, it will come apart. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3379449 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW1 Posted May 30, 2013 Share Posted May 30, 2013 Ironically, the best way to break down plastic glue... is to use plastic glue. Use the thin type. It will seep into the cracks and soften the joint. Despite it 'welding', it is a porous joint, unless the previous owner rubbed the contacts together a lot, it will come apart. I'm going to try this tonight. Thanks for the tip!!! :D Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3383717 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Sondar Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 @ SW1 & brothercaptainarkhan. Did it work? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3389017 Share on other sites More sharing options...
madscuzzy Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 I hope it worked for him, cuz that is how I fix my mistakes when i am assembling and converting..:P I also use this method to tack stuff together as needed. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3390174 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW1 Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 No luck with the use of plastic glue. Then again when I first glued them I ensured they were very well glued together so It might work better on some less well assembled stuff. I ended up using a very sharp strong blade and supporting the model with a table and cutting mat. I have had to remove arms/pads/bodies legs and a quick clean twist seems to pop most off well. It's just the black plastic of the bases which seems to like melting when you glue plastic to it that the twist doesn't work. The bond is too strong and you end up loosing a bit of the foot or the base tears so you end up with models which have platform shoes. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3390214 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrotherCaptainArkhan Posted June 14, 2013 Author Share Posted June 14, 2013 Cheers for the ideas guys. Unfortunately the glue on these particular models is so thick it won't dissolve. Have already sawed through a few of them with good results. I'm going through them at the waistline, and using GS to build up the hip area to make up for what's been cut away. The belt area is covered in pouches/grenades/secondary weapons so it'll look fine afterwards. Interesting idea re: poly cement to dissolve poly cement! I like it but as mentioned the area in question is really, really well glued and will not come apart except by force. Will bear it in mind for the future. Arkhan Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/275399-dissolving-plastic-glue/#findComment-3394270 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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