I NEED HELP TOO!

[tim-b]

Spurred on in part by this forum section, I have been getting into 1/24 modeling. I have just had my 1st disaster trying to fix a warped undertray from a Revell Enzo (my first build).

It was noticeably twisted (RR corner too low, LF also too low), and had to be held firmly in place when I was test-fitting it to the body. I was worried it would spring apart if I tried glueing it as it was, so I decided to 'fix' it. I tried warming it with a hair dryer, then warm water, then hot water, but each time after a while it went back to its original shape. I left it overnight with strategically placed heavy objects on top, which seemed to improve it but then within hours it was back to the same warped shape. As many parts are now painted and I want to get it assembled, I had another go today using very hot water, which made it even worse - now it's warped longitudinally as well (started to curl up like a leaf). Reheating/pressing just made it worse still, and now i've snapped it in two pieces

Is there any hope for this? It's impossible to build without the undertray as it holds everything together. Are there any tricks to flatten it out or am I going to have to buy a whole Enzo kit for 1 component....

Thanks for any advice you can give...

[dr_gn]

tim-b said:

Spurred on in part by this forum section, I have been getting into 1/24 modeling. I have just had my 1st disaster trying to fix a warped undertray from a Revell Enzo (my first build).

It was noticeably twisted (RR corner too low, LF also too low), and had to be held firmly in place when I was test-fitting it to the body. I was worried it would spring apart if I tried glueing it as it was, so I decided to 'fix' it. I tried warming it with a hair dryer, then warm water, then hot water, but each time after a while it went back to its original shape. I left it overnight with strategically placed heavy objects on top, which seemed to improve it but then within hours it was back to the same warped shape. As many parts are now painted and I want to get it assembled, I had another go today using very hot water, which made it even worse - now it's warped longitudinally as well (started to curl up like a leaf). Reheating/pressing just made it worse still, and now i've snapped it in two pieces

Is there any hope for this? It's impossible to build without the undertray as it holds everything together. Are there any tricks to flatten it out or am I going to have to buy a whole Enzo kit for 1 component....

Thanks for any advice you can give...

If the undertray is held around its periphery by upper body panels, can't you just attach it to these pieces with superglue? The stiffer upper body structure should hold the undertray in the correct shape.

Alternatively, if you can hold the undertray in place with sellotape while conventional glue dries, that is also an option. If you can hold the pieces in position with sellotape, or clothes pegs or rubber bands, you can also use low viscosity liquid cement or superglue applied to the joints. capillary action will draw the glue around the joints, and when its set, everything will be jigged correctly. The advantage of this is that you can get everything perfect, before applying the glue (with a pin or similar).

Hope this helps.

Edited by dr_gn on Tuesday 13th October 15:25

[tim-b]

dr_gn said:

If the undertray is held around its periphery by upper body panels, can't you just attach it to these pieces with superglue? The stiffer upper body structure should hold the undertray in the correct shape.

I probably could have done, by the sounds of your reply....but I was concerned it might 'ping' off as there was quite a bit of spring in it. Next time I will try pegs/tape/elastic bands etc if the cement looks like not holding it, as my method was a complete disaster!

After no luck looking on ebay for another Enzo, I emailed Revell, not expecting anything useful to come out of it, but got a reply within a couple hours- they will send me a new part, free of charge! Result! Only downside is I have to wait 4-6 weeks. At least that gives me plenty of time to get the bodywork up to scratch and all the pieces painted!

Thanks for the advice dr_gn, expect plenty more schoolboy errors in the near future...

[dr_gn]

tim-b said:

dr_gn said:

If the undertray is held around its periphery by upper body panels, can't you just attach it to these pieces with superglue? The stiffer upper body structure should hold the undertray in the correct shape.

I probably could have done, by the sounds of your reply....but I was concerned it might 'ping' off as there was quite a bit of spring in it. Next time I will try pegs/tape/elastic bands etc if the cement looks like not holding it, as my method was a complete disaster!

After no luck looking on ebay for another Enzo, I emailed Revell, not expecting anything useful to come out of it, but got a reply within a couple hours- they will send me a new part, free of charge! Result! Only downside is I have to wait 4-6 weeks. At least that gives me plenty of time to get the bodywork up to scratch and all the pieces painted!

Thanks for the advice dr_gn, expect plenty more schoolboy errors in the near future...

Try that - use thin liquid cement (Revell do some with a metal tube applicator), but be sure to leave it to set for 24hrs or so in a warm place before removing whatever clamping method you decide on. Liquid cement of this type has more solvent in it, and takes longer to fully harden, but should give you a stronger joint than superglue (depending on surface preperation of course).