Glue Softener?

[BVC500]

I bought a semi-built kit on eBay, where many unpainted parts were glued together (The glue is awfully tough. I think the builder used epoxy or Testors cement. At least with MM CA super glue you can at least still pry the parts apart, but not with this gooey stuff). I want to take it apart without breaking the parts. Does anyone know of a product or trick for softening glue?

[potsie]

I have successfully disassembled models by putting them in a freezer for a few days. Freezing the glue makes it hard and brittle, and it can be broken easily. It seems to also weaken to bonds to the plastic, making it possible to remove the glue entirely. In some cases parts were returned to the freezer for a longer period. However, these models were assembled using either Tamiya or Revell glues. I suspect a similar principle would apply to epoxy glues - it just may take more time for the epoxy to freeze.

Hope this helps,
Grant.

[CFarias]

I've often separated the parts with a saw, then plastic-cemented them back together with a strip of plastic in between them that was equal to the thickness of the saw cut. Once the plastic cement has set I sand the joint smooth and fill any "holes" with super glue.

[BVC500]

Cool, thanks. I'll give it a try this weekend.