I recently picked up a Kalamazoo 0-4-0 and it’s time for a paint job. I was trying to take it apart last night and it is mostly glued together. Is there anything that can help dissolve the glue to make it easier to come apart?
Thanks
Not that wouldn’t make a bigger mess, but you could try MEK.
However, it might only soften the outside of the glue and not the bond. I had luck with an old Aristo by breaking the glue bond with force, but that was a crap shoot which would break first; the glue or the plastic?
Next best taker-aparters are; a razor saw or exacto knife. Another trick is to freeze it and then try breaking the bond…
There are absolutely No Guarantees on the above.
For several decades I have come across articles and reports and posts saying that placing parts in an ultrasonic cleaner works.
But those have been HO trains, N trains, wargame miniatures, and jewelry; all rather smaller than G trains.
You might want to read this thread on glue removal.
https://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/24652/adhesive-removal?page=1
Update: I tried a bit of Goof Off on a Q tip and saturated the joints. I used some “gentle persuasion” and some areas started to come loose. I added a bit more Goof Off and all the pieces have been removed. I still cant figure out how to separate the boiler from the frame, but it is all good, I will paint as a unit.
Thanks for all of the tips…I will post pictures once I am further along.