RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Possibly a stupid question, but here goes.

I have a Taigen / Torro Pro King Tiger, which I’m in the process of stripping down and strengthening.

I’ve got the metal sprockets, idlers and road wheels off their suspension “arms”, but cannot remove the hubs from these as I’d like to remove the steel axles and bearings prior to fettling, priming and painting. I would imagine that in some stage in the future the bearings will need replacing, so I’d rather get the situation remedied properly now, rather than trying to attempt it on a fully painted wheel.

The hubs have been glued on with, I think superglue. Absolutely masses of the wretched stuff holding every component in place (and I have never ever seen such poor assembly in an any model (of anything) so poorly constructed) and cannot get close to removing the hubs without causing serious damage. I think the rims of the hubs will break before the hub comes off.

Does anyone have any bright ideas please?

Maybe try superglue remover.

Jimster wrote:Maybe try superglue remover.

I have some on order. Just putting it out there in case someone has magical method.

"Loctite Glue Remover".

jarndice wrote:"Loctite Glue Remover".

I've ordered some, though i don't hold out much hope on it working. There's huge amounts of glue everywhere.

Acetone works on a lot of brands of superglue as well.

Rob1970 wrote:Acetone works on a lot of brands of superglue as well.

Will nail varnish remover work?

Whoa! Don't apologize for asking questions. I do liberally, and once in a while I can even answer one.

I, too, recommend a CA glue remover. I have three different brands, although I believe all are effectively the same. I have had no damage to plastic (or hands ) from any of the three. I have also found that with care one can apply the remover, scrape, wiggle, snarl, cuss, and re-apply, leaving plastic undamaged.

As an aside: there are both acetone and non-acetone nail polish removers. Although acetone is not as "hot" (i.e. aggressive and damaging, not the same as my hot body ) as MEK (Methyl-Ethyl Ketone), I am hesitant about acetone on plastics. I keep both on hand, but use the non-acetone with some success for removing printed-on markings.

End of 2-cents comment.

Thank you Herr Dr. Professor.

I’ll have an experiment.
I do N Gauge model railways and have never come across “situations” like the one I’ve had with this tank.

I use a soldering iron to help remove any metal parts that are glued in place.