How to Rebuild a Wrecked Model Airplane
Scale model airplanes can be studies in detail, representing appearance of the full sized versions down to the instrument panel. With many requiring hours to build if your model breaks, it seems a shame to mark it a loss and toss it into the trash. Rather than doing so you can rebuild the wrecked model using many of the same techniques you used in building it in the first place. Rebuilding is a complicated process however, requiring you to strip the model down to the bare plastic so that you can replace missing sections, and restore the model surface for repainting. A successful rebuild however should result in a model that's just as good as one never damaged, and just as ready for display.
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Things You'll Need
- Purple Stuff or Super Clean
- Bowl
- Wrecked model
- Toothpick
- Toothbrush
- Mild liquid soap
- Cloth
- Modeler's file
- Plastic model cement
- Two-part epoxy modeling putty
- Sculpting tools
- Model paints
- Paint brushes, variety of sizes
- Fine-grit wet/dry sandpaper
- Paper towel
- Clear parts plastic glue
- Model decals
- Clear coat spray
Instructions
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Purchase a bottle of Super Clean or Purple Stuff cleaner/degreaser from an automotive supply store to strip the paint from your wrecked model. Fill a bowl large enough to contain the parts of your airplane with an equal amount of the cleaner and water. Place the airplane into the mixture, submerged completely, and soak for five hours.
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Check the model for the effectiveness of the cleaner as a paint remover by scraping a toothpick along a broad section of the model. If you reach bare plastic, then remove the model from the mixture and brush the paint off the pieces with a toothbrush. If not, continue to soak, testing hourly. Remove the paint from the detailed areas of the model with the point of a toothpick. Wash the model clean with a mild liquid soap and warm water mixture. Rinse with clean water then pat the parts dry with a clean piece of cloth.
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Remove any visible glue from the model parts with a small modeler's file. Take care not to gouge or scratch the surface of the model in the process.
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Reassemble the model using plastic model cement. Brush the cement onto one of the gluing surfaces. Hold both surfaces together for about 30 seconds to bind the two parts. Wait 30 minutes for the glue to set completely.
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Fill any missing sections in the model's body with two-part epoxy modeling putty. Mix equal parts of the compound to create the clay-like putty. Mold the putty along missing sections to recreate the surfaces using your fingers and sculpting tools. Keep your fingers and tools moist with water while using the putty to avoid its sticking. Allow 24 hours for the putty to dry.
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Brush a layer of primer onto the model using dark brown paint. The brown helps to create shadows once you paint the topcoat of color onto the model. Wait another 24 hours drying time for the primer. Sand the primer smooth with fine grit wet/dry sandpaper to remove any brush strokes from the primer surface and then wipe the airplane with a clean cloth.
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Apply your topcoat of colors to the model airplane using paintbrushes of a variety of sizes, depending on the detailed level requires of the model part. Use two or three thin layers to apply the colors, painting in a single direction to avoid creating a criss-cross look to the airplane body. Begin by painting the body of the airplane with a broad brush, then work on the smaller parts.
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Paint the cockpit using a fine detail brush to cover the many dials and switches present. Use a drybrushing technique on the control panel to highlight the dials with a light grey paint by applying a small amount of grey to your brush then wiping most of the paint off on a paper towel. Lightly brush the control panel with the brush to deposit the almost powdered paint over the raised dial details. Allow the paint on the airplane 24 hours drying time.
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Glue the cockpit canopy onto the airplane using clear parts plastic glue to avoid fogging the glued edge with normal plastic cement.
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Sand the topcoat of paint smooth with the fine grit sandpaper and then wipe the plane with a clean cloth. Apply any decals desired by soaking the decals in water for 30 seconds and then slipping them in place onto the airplane. Pat the decals dry with a squeegee. Wait one hour then spray the airplane with a layer of clear coat to protect the painted surface. Allow the clear coat 24 hours drying time before displaying the rebuilt model.
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Tips & Warnings
Rebuild your model airplane in a well-ventilated area to avoid the inhalation of paint and glue fumes.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit maquette avion antique image by Bernard BAILLY from Fotolia.com
