How to remove old glue from a plastic model?

[Felix C]

Is it there a manner to disassemble a built plastic model? Old style styrene glue was used. Is there a solvent for this that will not damage the plastic?

[Ross MacMillan]

Hi. Since styrene glue works by fusing the plastic parts together, effectively making them one piece rather than 'sticking' them together like super glue does, it's hard to imagine a solvent that wouldn't also attack the area around the bond.

Perhaps there techniques for separating fused parts; I just apply force and sometimes the bond breaks and other times the plastic gives out first. I suppose it could all depend upon the quality of the plastic, the quality of the glue, how much glue was used and so on.

Regards, Ross.