Help needed....

[spideyman]

So I was hoping someone could tell me what I am doing wrong.
I have and engine in my stash that I assembled many years ago. Well nothing ever came of it and I was thinking of using that engine in a build that I have in mind. So I have heard from many, that if you get a part that has been glued together wet with water and then place it in the freezer the freezing process will break appart the glued areas. Well I tried just that, I ran the engine for a little bit under the faucet and then put it straight in the freezer. I then checked up on it a day later and nothing happened. I tried this same process a few more times and still nothing. Am I doing something wrong? Am I forgetting a step somewhere? Or is it just a lost cause? I cant remember if I used CA glue or plastic cement like Testors, it has been too many years since I've glued it together. Could it be that the glue wont break appart? I thought that this trick worked with both of these types of glues. If anyone could help me out that would be great.

Thanks for your time and help.....

[Adam Baker]

The few times Ive ever had to do that, it didn't come apart by itself. I had to freeze it, and then gently break the glue bonds by hand.

How effective it is also depends a lot on how much glue, and what type of glue, was used originally.

[Entau]

i think the freeze trick work better on CA glued part, because cement melts plastic and bond the two part like wielding so it's almost impossible to be separated especially if you put A LOT of cements

[MPWR]

Your technique is correct, and it can work with both CAed and cemented joints. But unjoining parts is an imperfect art. Often it will take several attempts, and sometimes it's not the glued joint that breaks. It usually takes some effort and patience, and rarely will you get the parts back to their original condition. It certainly can be useful, but it's easiest to avoid breaking stuff apart as much as possible. Instead, strip and repaint where ever you can and save attempting to unjoin parts only for places where it's really necessary.

[spideyman]

Thanks for the tips guys!

Well Im pleased to say that I was struck with an idea last night and I tried out today with much success. I had the idea that if I was to use one of those compressed air duster cans upside down, then the VERY cold freezing from that might work out well. And sure enough, I just got done trying it out and it took me like five minutes to get the whole engine apart. So next time you are in need of taking something apart, give this a try......just make sure that you use tweezers or something of the other to hold the parts so that you dont burn your skin!


Thanks again to all!