Resin, or Styrene?

[BUCKY]

If you acquire an old, built-up, gluebomb type model, how can you tell if it is resin or styrene?
I am working on a gluebomb, and will need to strip paint off of the body. I don't know which material it is made from.
Are there certain paint strippers that should not be used if this is a resin body? I've never worked with resin, before, and don't know if I am now!! LOL

[JCON]

I have no clue, sorry!!!

[IceMan Collections]

I have a huge resin collection and there certainly are some chemicals that will make that resin melt. More details or pictures might help identify it. Pics of the inside and bottoms sections of the body are the most helpful.

[BUCKY]

Here are the parts I am working on:


As you can see, I cut the top off the Cougar. I did the same thing with a Mustang, but this top seemed to be tougher to cut out. It took longer, too.


Inside of the body looked to be fairly smooth. I believe this model was brush painted, and it still feels a little tacky.


This is the edge of the body, after I filed it down for the Mustang top to fit. While I was filing, this stuff just sorta turned to dust.


This shows the rough cut on the removed top and read deck. The cut area on the body looked about like this, too.


This is the unpainted undercarriage for this Cougar. I also have another gluebomb Cougar that appears to be made from the same material. Maybe it's styrene from 1967. It seems to be different from the Mustang, which is a kit from 1979.

[JEFF]

Bruce might be able to answer this. I've seen him use Resin bodies in the past.

[JCON]

Resin is really brittle... at least what I have used. You don't dare drop it as it shatters to a million pieces, don't ask me how I know that as I might cry again...

[Buddho]

Hi Bucky. Joe is right. If you can snap off the excess on this piece you are/were cutting, it would be resin. Plastic would be much tougher and hang on until the last cut.

[Beekster]

I don't do cars, but this looks more like ancient plastic to me. I concur with everyone else's comments on resin, though the degree of brittleness is variable. Some resins are softer than others, and the shape and thickness of the casting also makes a difference. I can drop a resin turret shell or tank hull and rarely have much damage, but those parts tend to be thick and stout. Plastics too have evolved over time, and different manufacturers choose different formulations, but all of them do get somewhat brittle over time as well. Those big posts also are a possible tell: You may have a dealer model, as those kinds of body-to-frame aren't uncommon on models that were preassembled and bought at the parts counter.

As for removing paint, I would start with paint thinner and see what happens. It probably isn't strong enough to dissolve resin but it might not take off cured, ancient paint, either. Oven cleaner might work too; just use it first on a junk piece to see if anything bad happens. I've used it to remove the chrome plating from parts; the wheels on that Mack project were chromed before I removed it. I couldn't make masters out of the parts with the plating on there.

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

It looks more like a vinyl to me Bucky. You can test it my using a little cement to see if it sticks to styrene. Resin will not.

[IceMan Collections]

From what I can see in the pictures, it looks like plastic. Beekster’s right, not all resin is brittle. For stripping paint, test whatever you plan to sue on this posts. That you won’t see once it’s built. Dip it and see if it affects it in any way.

[BUCKY]

Thanks for the ideas and tips, gennamen! The roof section I posted in the first thread is a scrap piece, so I can experiment with it. I tried Buddho's suggestion about the little part sticking out. It didn't snap off, just sorta rolled in a curl! I may toss this roof section in the brake fluid and see what comes out!

[CarlRF (R.I.P.)]

The only thing I will add is that resin has a definite smell especially when your cutting it .

[BUCKY]

That's good to know, bro Carl. I didn't know that. This one didn't smell any different from any other kit I've ever cut up.

[Mence]

My money is on old, tired styrene.

[JCON]

What??? You have money??? Lol!!!

[Deleted]

I can usually tell the difference between styrene and resin, Styrene at least in my opinion is usually smooth and resin has fine bumps and waves in it, And i have also noticed when i tap say a car body made of each, The resin sounds a little diff

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

I C.

[Deleted]

Nov 11, 2017 17:03:32 GMT -6 dogfish7 (R.I.P.) said:

I C.

LMAO!!!! Wow

[JCON]

Get a bigger hammer!!!