Removing plastic film from photoetch

[biff4204]

I've been trying to use some of the radars from Flyhawk's US Navy World War II radars. The photo etch sheet seems to covered by a very thin clear plastic film. Does anyone have any hints on how to remove the film without distorting the photo etch parts?

[Timmy C]

Cut the film around the part you need, and use fine-tipped tweezers to lift that small piece of film away - using another pair of tweezers to keep the brass part flat on the table if necessary. This will be much less painful than trying to life the entire sheet's film in one piece.

[robertmelvin]

Just a thought, and let me stress that I have never tried this, but it seems to me that unless your PE is pre-painted, which I doubt it is, laying it in a plate or other flat surface and brushing it with some acetone, maybe several applications would be needed, would help to loosen the adhesive's grip and aid the removal process. I do agree that removing smaller portions at a time will probably yield a better result than trying to do the whole thing at once.

Bob M.

[biff4204]

Thank you very much for your ideas! I was thinking of soaking the part in lacquer thinner (or acetone) since the mesh of the radar screen is so small and fine.

[robertmelvin]

You're very welcome. Hope I didn't steer you wrong with the acetone idea, but I don't think I did. Hope you will let us know how your efforts work out and if you find an even better method.

Bob M.

[biff4204]

I just tried soaking the piece in lacquer thinner for about an hour. The plastic film floated right off. I think the acetone would have worked as well. By the way, it was a piece from LionRoad radar photo etch not the Flyhawk. Thanks again!