Dissolving glue on Drop Pods

[Gree]

I'm having a recent problem with rebuilding my drop pods. I've never really been able to build them together quite right, and my drop pods are usually pretty fragile and rickety. Recently though one of my drop pods has shattered, forcing to rebuild and reglue it.

 

The problem is that I've done this a couple of times before and the glue tends to dry and build up and up, this making it harder to put pieces back together. Chipping it away has proven to be unsuccessful. Has anyone a good method of dissolving glue while leaving he plastic intact?

[Gurth]

Let's start with which glue you're using. If it's superglue, you should be able to cut, scrape and file it away, though the glue will be harder than the plastic, so you'll need to be careful doing that or you might take away more plastic than glue if you slip; if it's plastic cement, it will have dissolved some of the plastic, but you should still be able to clean it up by cutting, scraping and filing.

In any case, I think your problem is mainly that you haven't cleaned up the parts well enough that they fit together snugly. I've built three drop pods, and never had any problem with fit, plus all fifteen doors can open and click (and stay) closed. I attribute this to removing mould lines, dry-fitting and adjusting parts until they fit right, and only then glueing them

[Grotsmasha]

Is it plastic glue or super glue? I guess it doesnt really matter, I'd be tackleing it the same it both cases. Clean away a small area, then using a fresh blade, work your way along the clean plastic, avoiding damage as much as possible. When it comes to reassembly, I'd recommend pinning some of the more structural joints, on a Dropod I guess that would be the five fins? I'd pin top and bottom. Pinning should make it much more resiliant to damage if the glue should fail again.

The key to plastic glue (if thats what you're using) is to work in stages and sub-assemblies. I used to have the same issuesuntil a mate told me to be patient and let the glue set before continuing as it will produce a much better bond and sturdy model in the long run.

 

Cheers,

Jono

[Gree]

Let's start with which glue you're using. If it's superglue, you should be able to cut, scrape and file it away, though the glue will be harder than the plastic, so you'll need to be careful doing that or you might take away more plastic than glue if you slip; if it's plastic cement, it will have dissolved some of the plastic, but you should still be able to clean it up by cutting, scraping and filing.

In any case, I think your problem is mainly that you haven't cleaned up the parts well enough that they fit together snugly. I've built three drop pods, and never had any problem with fit, plus all fifteen doors can open and click (and stay) closed. I attribute this to removing mould lines, dry-fitting and adjusting parts until they fit right, and only then glueing them

I'd say it's probably too late for me then. I can never get my Drop Pods to close at all and they are usually very fragile. The side fins are in particular a problem for me since they constantly seem to fall off. In all it's a very rickety and fragile model for me. I've build two and they both have the same problems.

I guess I'll just have to resort to buying drop pods made by other people. I'm not very good at clearing away dried glue and I was hoping for a better solution.

[Grotsmasha]

If your willing to pay postage I'd be more than willing to take some time out and have a crack at repairing them, I kinda enjoy that sort of thing. I wouldn't want anything in return either. If you're interested, hit me with a p.m. and I'll send you my address.

 

Cheers,

Jono

[RazorDaemon]

What kind, brand and how old is the glue you are using? If you have plastic to plastic then Plastic Model Cement works best.

It is also possible that the pieces may have become slightly warped, in which case you can try VERY carefully to bend them back. Getting them warm can help, or flexing them, in a bouncing back and forth, just a tiny bit by tiny bit. You also may have to just build slowly, put ample Plastic Model Cement, I like Testors brand, and hold it in place or use a clamp before gluing more together. Since it is being troublesome, use plenty, keep a paper towel on hand to wipe away excess that gets pushed out where you don't want to see it. For existing glue residue you can use a hobby knife is a scrapping motion instead of cutting, and get a model finishing kit that will provide you with several grains of sandpaper designed for plastic models.