discussion AAArgh

[stillp]

I thought I was on the home straight with this Eduard Lavchkin La-7 that I had from Rob (Munchkin), but I was clearcoating after the decals, in a freezing cold garage, and gave it a gentle waft of warm air from a fan heater. I didn't think it was very warm, but it's distorted both u/c legs as well as the tail wheel, aerial and pitot tube.View attachment 292747View attachment 292748
I'm thinking I need to leave it a while for the Pledge to fully cure, then have at it with a hairdryer? Unless anyone has any other suggestions?

Pete

 

[yak face]

DOH! I did a very similar thing with my group build eduard mig 21 pete! Holding it if front of the halogen heater to dry the paint (impatience ) I melted the top of the nose and the nose ring ,and had to effect a last minute repair. If I were you I would scratchbuild the aerial and pitot , that should be easy enough , and remove and try and straighten the undercarriage legs and tailwheel ,maybe try the hairdryer on its hottest setting (watch your fingers though!)

 

[stillp]

Thanks Tony. TBH I hadn't thought of removing the legs. I was amazed at how easily they bent, so hopefully they'll bend back just as easily (is that a pig flying past my window?).
I can comfortably hold my hand in front of that fan heater, it seems cooler than the wife's hair dryer. Does Pledge somehow lower the softening point of plastic?

Pete