Styrene problem

[billikenmonster]

Styrene problem I warped an old Frankenstein kit when I was stripping the paint off it years ago it is a 61 original I bowed the base from grave markers to headstone with the solvents I was using. It is bowed front to back I was looking to straighten it out any ideas? I did not try hair dryer and did not want to introduce any more solvents I may just end up attaching it to a wooden base and filling in the difference. Any ideas let me know thanks

[Rocketeer]

I think if it were me I would clamp it down to a straight piece of plywood and immerse it in boiling water for ten or fifteen seconds. Let it cool down, unclamp it and take a look, repeat as necessary.

If worst comes to worst, and you destroy the base, you can substitute a base from a more recent version; that kit's been reissued about a zillion times.

[llricmc]

I think if it were me I would clamp it down to a straight piece of plywood and immerse it in boiling water for ten or fifteen seconds.

Be careful! Styrene has a very low melting point. Boiling (212 deg.F) will probably turn it to mush. I would recommend starting out at around 130 degrees F. If you have a piece of sprue or a scrap model part test it out first in the heated water. If the scrap piece doesn't become flexible, gradually increase the temp in 5 to 10 degree increments and try again until your scrap piece will bend without breaking. That should be the temperature that you need to straighten your base.

[Ken Kwil]

Sounds like a similar problem I had with a old kit base.
Check out this ... http://theclubhouse1.net/phpBB3/viewtop ... 0&t=121702.
If that doesn’t link to it, look for the Monogram Missile Arsenal thread in Forbidden Plastic section.
You might try something like what I did. It worked for me and straightened out a warped twisted base.
Good luck!

[tay666]

I think if it were me I would clamp it down to a straight piece of plywood and immerse it in boiling water for ten or fifteen seconds.

Be careful! Styrene has a very low melting point. Boiling (212 deg.F) will probably turn it to mush. I would recommend starting out at around 130 degrees F. If you have a piece of sprue or a scrap model part test it out first in the heated water. If the scrap piece doesn't become flexible, gradually increase the temp in 5 to 10 degree increments and try again until your scrap piece will bend without breaking. That should be the temperature that you need to straighten your base.

Styrene generally doesn't melt under 400 F.
It actually has a higher melting point than most other plastics.

That said, thin-walled items will be affected long before that temperature.

[llricmc]

I think if it were me I would clamp it down to a straight piece of plywood and immerse it in boiling water for ten or fifteen seconds.

Be careful! Styrene has a very low melting point. Boiling (212 deg.F) will probably turn it to mush. I would recommend starting out at around 130 degrees F. If you have a piece of sprue or a scrap model part test it out first in the heated water. If the scrap piece doesn't become flexible, gradually increase the temp in 5 to 10 degree increments and try again until your scrap piece will bend without breaking. That should be the temperature that you need to straighten your base.

Styrene generally doesn't melt under 400 F.
It actually has a higher melting point than most other plastics.

That said, thin-walled items will be affected long before that temperature.

Ok. I stand corrected. The glass transition point for polystyrene is well below 212 degrees F. The glass transition point is when the plastic becomes less springy and more rubbery.
I am just going by my own experience straightening warped styrene model parts.
Let us know how it comes out with whatever method you use.

[billikenmonster]

Thank you all for the information I think I will start with trying to brace it a see what happens then I’ll try the hot water and brace it thanks again

[Aurora 484]

Sorry this happened to you but this is exactly why one should NEVER use solvents or anything else not meant specifically to strip paint off of styrene.

That must have been one heck of a strong solvent if it warped a piece as thick as the Frankenstein base!

Next time use Scalecoat. It's specifically meant for that purpose. It's literally a crap shoot when you start using cleaners; solvents etc to strip styrene.

Yeah, I know, I'll probably get pooh poohed by many saying that they use this and that to strip styrene kits, but heed billikenmonster's experience! User Beware! (whatever that translates to in Latin)