In a message dated 12/6/2006 1:48:47 P.M. Central Standard Time,
danspach@... writes:

Just how safe is it to bake a painted styrene
model @170º ? I do it all the time with brass
models, but up to now, never anything else.



Denny,

Say it ain't so!! Don't do it, please!!! <G>

Richard is correct - A couple of 40 or 60 Watt bulbs would be the
warmest heat source I would use on plastic. And, those bulbs will
melt and contort the plastic if you're not careful to keep them far
enough away.

My suggestion would be to take a cardboard box the size of
a copy paper box, toss the lid, set the box on its side, put the model
about two inches in front of the back wall and aim a couple of light bulbs
in there, with the bulbs no closer to the model than the front of the
box.

Even then, keep a very close eye on things. Of course, you'll
want to turn the model every once in awhile (minutes) so all
painted sides get exposed to your lightbulb(s).

A small fan is useful, too, to force air through the box, which not
only pushes the heat around, but also helps speed up the
solvent evaporation process.

Good Luck!!!
John


John Hitzeman
President/Owner
American Model Builders, Inc.
LASERkit (tm)
St. Louis, MO
_www.rgspemkt.com _ (http://www.rgspemkt.com/) _www.ambstlouis.net _
(http://www.ambstlouis.net/) _www.laserkit.com _ (http://www.laserkit.com/)


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