Rebuilding an old kit - Multiple questions

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PetrolGator
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Location: Herndon, VA

Rebuilding an old kit - Multiple questions

Post by PetrolGator »

Okay, slight confession: I tried delving into this hobby back in 2009 or so. I bought a 1/350 USS Laffey and, well, partially built and ruined it. Last night, while waiting for paint to dry, I found it in a box of junk I had stored up in the computer room.

Now, it's spray canned, Wal-mart super glued, and well, hideous to behold. Still, it's one of the nicest DD's ever released in plastic and deserves better treatment. I'm tempted to grab the GMM PE set and scratch any small details lost to carpet monsters of the past.

Questions:
1) It's partially glued and EVERYTHING is painted in a Model Master acrylic paint, from the can. Or maybe enamel? I don't remember. What are methods, for both, to strip the paint off the model so I can resand/reprime/repaint it?

2) Superglue. How do I get rid of this?

3) Uh. Anti-skid pads.... anyone got some in 1/350?

4) Is this even worth it? I can get one of these kits for ~40 bucks.

I build her full hull, but I think I'm going to show her as of that night in 1942 when she got up close and personal with a Japanese BB, just before being sunk.
- Chris

1/700 Saratoga w/Pontos (Needs paint)
1/700 Potato w/Kurama (On hold)
1/700 Murdertorpedoboat Ooi
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Hen
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Re: Rebuilding an old kit - Multiple questions

Post by Hen »

I never tried it, but I think the paint could be removed with oven cleaning spray... but no idea how to get rid of superglue. I mean - it's called SUPERglue :big_grin:

I'd put it aside as "lesson learned" and go for a new kit, if it's "only" 40$ and you want to use PE anyways. At least you would have spare parts if your carpet monsters are hungry again :heh:

Or you could build a new one and make this one look like the wrecked ship after the "Rendezvous with Hiei"...
- - - - Check out my 1/700 Imperial Japanese Navy blog at http://nihonkaigun.wordpress.com/ - - - -
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PetrolGator
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Re: Rebuilding an old kit - Multiple questions

Post by PetrolGator »

Bonus points for stern long lance hit?
- Chris

1/700 Saratoga w/Pontos (Needs paint)
1/700 Potato w/Kurama (On hold)
1/700 Murdertorpedoboat Ooi
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Hen
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Re: Rebuilding an old kit - Multiple questions

Post by Hen »

PetrolGator wrote:Bonus points for stern long lance hit?
Well, that might look pretty f'd up :big_grin: that battle action at close(st) range must have been really really brutal... even footsoldiers were normally further apart than the Laffey and her opponents at that night!
- - - - Check out my 1/700 Imperial Japanese Navy blog at http://nihonkaigun.wordpress.com/ - - - -
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Warren
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Re: Rebuilding an old kit - Multiple questions

Post by Warren »

Super Glue comes off with acetone and acetone does not hurt the plastic.
YOUR MODELING ABILITY IS THE LIMIT OF YOU IMAGINATION
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Hallis
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Re: Rebuilding an old kit - Multiple questions

Post by Hallis »

I'd just buy a new kit and take whatever parts you can salvage off of the old model and keep them as spares maybe to use on another kit or scratch build.
-Shane

Dallas, Tx

Working on: Revell 1/426 USS Arizona BB-39

In the Stash: USS Arizona 1/700 Dragon Premium, DKM Bismarck 1/700 Dragon Premium, Admiral Graf Spee 1/700 Trumpeter, & Prinz Eugen 1/700 Trumpeter
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PetrolGator
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Re: Rebuilding an old kit - Multiple questions

Post by PetrolGator »

This IJN CA is actually a side project I'm working on now. She's been completely disassembled and will shortly be returned to fighting shape.... someday.

I build entirely too slow.
- Chris

1/700 Saratoga w/Pontos (Needs paint)
1/700 Potato w/Kurama (On hold)
1/700 Murdertorpedoboat Ooi
MareNostrum
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Re: Rebuilding an old kit - Multiple questions

Post by MareNostrum »

I'm rather averse to seeing a kit get deep-sixed, no matter how badly screwed up it is. My suggestion is to use this one as a learning opportunity, something on which you can take chances, test your skills, practice your techniques (painting, shading, attaching p/e...), including practicing weathering (after you get the original paint off). Also, consider putting it in a diorama (another chance to do something different if you haven't already tried it), most likely one depicting battle damage or long service use, given the description of the ship thus far. Replicating realistic looking battle damage is a bit of an art itself and requires some research, planning, technique, and some improvisation and scratchbuilding. So, silk purse into sow's ear...?
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