Disassembly for repair

[wingnut]

I'm wondering if anybody has any tips or tricks for taking things apart cleanly with minimal extra damage to do some repair work. Specifically I'd like to get a plastic cowl from a 500 series spitfire off to rebuild a nose block. I used plastic cement originally to attach the cowl. I built the nose block too small and fragile and I just can't get in there to work, but I feel like if I try to cut the cowl off I'm going to have to rebuild the front fuse former and covering.

[cutter]

I have read on plastic modellers forums, if you put the model in the freezer for a couple of hours it may come apart. I have not tried this myself so proceed with caution. Hope this helps.

[rayd]

Say wingnut...a few ideas maybe. In ye olde days, were no plastic cowls, we built 'em up from balsa, and/or various things. I'm saying this since if you decide to fix and break the cowl, you you can perhaps order one, or build one up as in yesteryear from scrap balsa etc, so don't worry, but keep the Scotch tape handy in case. Plastic glue to balsa isn't always the strongest bond, so it might not be too difficult. But removal, by any means, may result in some damage... how bad is the question. Luck also comes into play, as it often does with "stuff" like this.

If I were you, I'd accept that minor fixit damage might result, but I'll try.....well, this way or that way...but I would not pry off cowl hard or fast. I'd get a sharp, pointy Xacto knife with blade, eg #2 size and with that fine, small point, try and gently get between the edges of cowl and balsa its glued onto. True, some balsa may get chiselled off in the attempt, but you can replace or fix this easily, or use balsa wood putty. Work around the cowl, slowly, with blade angled a tad down toward the balsa, and I emphasize, work slowly. I'm sure if you ask 10 people, you may get 10 opinions with ideas. Pick what you think you're comfortable with.

Awhile back, I wanted to add clay to a cowl already glued solidly onto a Guillows Mitsu Zero and opted to remove cowl. I was tempted to pry, but some creaking as I started changed my mind....hence I stopped and used method I mentioned. Worked ok. May or may not work for you, but its a way. Good luck, and wait awhile, others here may have more ideas.

[Steve Blanchard]

Wingnut,

If the glue is acetone based then all you have to do is get some acetone and a small paint brush and continually brush on acetone in the areas around the cowl to loosen the glue. You can then use the exacto as Ray said. It should pop off fairly easily. Every glue has a base or thinner. All you have to do is find out what yours is.

Steve

[cliffm]

Ahh, go lightly with the acetone as you may end up disolving your plastic! Just a word from hard won experience

[wingnut]

Thanks for the advice, I got it off with virtually no damage, by prying with a #11 blade and judicious use of acetone.