Working with resin wings

[AROTH]

I am familiar with using hot water or heat to straighten up resin parts, particularly large items such as wings and fuselage halves. However, I have never attempted to correct a resin wing in which the warp or bend is along the leading edge on a plane in which the leading edge is supposed to be straight, and not curved rearward, creating curved leading edges such as on a Lloyd C.V. Of course, the bend is not that severe, but usually minor, such as about 1/16 of an inch or so from the center section to the wingtip. This would create wing alignment problems with the top or bottom wing being "out of whack" from each other, and would also affect strut alignment, etc.

Has anyone been able to pull a wing back into shape by the heat method, or do they not respond well to that type of correction? If not, what are some of the other solutions that anyone may have come up with?

Hope this makes sense.

[buzz1941]

A large, sew-bound cook such as an encyclopedia works well as a clamp to straighten the edge. Open the book to the middle, creating a valley in the center where the pages are bound. Heat the wing and press it down into binding. The curve of the pages folding out will grip the wing without damage.

[FOKKERJ]

Hello AROTH,

I wish that you had something to experiment with, but unfortuneately it always seems that all we have is the expensive resin part to play with and try to salvage.

My first experience was with a ROSEMONT Nieuport 27 upper wing that resembled a corkscrew. I heated a cup of water in the microwave as you might a cup of coffee, testing by dipping a portion of the effected wing in. I continued this process until I found an effective temperature (which I don't remember recording! ). Once I discovered the happy temperature the 90% immersed wing went limp like a noodle, then straightened out like new or better!
I believe that the elasto polymers or whatever have a memory, which is fantastic!

I have yet to attempt a 1/72" Salmson resin kit that has a fuselage half that's about a 1/4" to 3/8" shorter than the other half.

What ever you try, keep us posted.

Best of Luck, Jay

[FOKKERJ]

Greetings AROTH,

What happened?

If all else fails, leave a saucer of Whiskey, with the affected part, on the stoop and wait for the "Wee People" to fix it for you, while you're asleep!

Cheers, Jay aka FOKKERJ

P.S. Try to dip just the problem area.

[AROTH]

Nothing yet. Been too busy on household projects and other odd jobs - seems I am very popular for many handyman jobs at three horse barns since I retired. I thought retirement would mean more time for modeling.

Still staring at all the resin kits that I have looking for similar issues. Seems odd that sometimes they seem to warp in the box - when I bought some of them years ago, I recall checking out large pieces for warping and found them straight. A recent re-check shows some of them have oddly changed shape in the box.

Anyway, I have enough plastic to keep me busy until I am about 153 years old, assuming (ha-ha ) I am alive by then ( you never know with modern medical advances!)

[FOKKERJ]

Originally Posted by AROTH

Nothing yet. Been too busy on household projects and other odd jobs - seems I am very popular for many handyman jobs at three horse barns since I retired. I thought retirement would mean more time for modeling.

Still staring at all the resin kits that I have looking for similar issues. Seems odd that sometimes they seem to warp in the box - when I bought some of them years ago, I recall checking out large pieces for warping and found them straight. A recent re-check shows some of them have oddly changed shape in the box.

Anyway, I have enough plastic to keep me busy until I am about 153 years old, assuming (ha-ha ) I am alive by then ( you never know with modern medical advances!)

Hello AROTH,

From what I understand, HUMIDITY is the resin kit's enemy.
With that in mind, your kits were probably in better shape when you first acquired them.

What I want to know is, if that is true, will your restraightened parts become sealed from humidity damage/effects when sealed in an enamel paint (Gloss) covering?

Or do you have to send all of your resin kits to me here in the arid High Desert for safe keeping?

Cheers, Jay

P.S. So much to learn!

[AROTH]

..."Or do you have to send all of your resin kits to me here in the arid High Desert for safe keeping? ..."

Hmmm, sounds like a scam of some sort in the works........

[Doug Baumann]

well i wish you luck with the warping
Doug