rustng of styrene

[1-32]

hi all.
seeing that a lot of ultimate knowledge rests here i am trying to find information regarding the distressing of styrene to look like heavy rust corrision.i have tried a few types of acid outside but styrene is very rugged stuff.i would like to apply the tecknique to the plastic so that it produces a very random affect and that you would be able to control the amount of corrision.
any idears?
kind regards kim

[lab-dad]

MEK will "attack" the sturene and soften it.
Then you can stab at it with a stiff brush or other tools.

I wonder if an air eraser would also work?...
Marty

[1-32]

hey marty.
styrene is one tough mother.i feel the effect i want cant be achived by chemicals.i looked on u tube and generally in the model car area they use a dremel to thin the plastic and try a create a random pattern.i really dont like the effect not random enough.i like the air eraser idear a lot , distressed furniture uses large scale sand blasting the same could be used in a miniture form on metals,plastics and woods.
kind regards kim

[Barney]

Have you tried the "bouncing Dremel " technique - I normally use the round ball tool and use a mid range speed and just bounce the tool on the plastic card (styrene) on thinner plastic it virtually shreds it - to finish rotting holes I normally attack it with a sharp blade on things like a water or oil tank build it in thicker styrene and make holes bigger than the rot hole then skin it with 5 thou or 10 thou styrene then bounce the dremel tool around the hole until the rot appears finish of with a bit of stabbing with a sharp blade some examples the narrow gauge engine and boiler are 1/35th the cement mixer drum is 1/16th scale.

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[Barney]

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Have a bit of Bouncing fun
Barney

[1-32]

hey barney.
i looks like you got a dremel for christmas.i would be interesting to see the finished result all painted.
i also put the question to the train tools site full of interesting tools and the like.generally there is not a chemical that will not kill you that will produce the result i like.you could make the items from brass and then etch them-interesting.
but the winner so far is the air eroser-you could really do some damage ,i would use the fine grit.the only trouble is that i would have to get a new compressor to supply the 60 psi.
kind regards kim

[Barney]

Kim
The air "grit blaster" sounds the thing to go for - have you found a product that can do the job - I did not realise they can do so much damage and I would think its a bit more "under control" I have had a quick look at the air blasters but the all look like heavy duty type (bead & heavy grit)
Barney

[1-32]

hi barney
personally i have no experience with air erosers.i have seen sand blasting on old wood and steel with amazing results in house restoration,easily the best tecknique for those situations.
paasche makes a lovely unit which i think is good value.i could see it being used on a large scale auto plastic of course-just go for it , use eye protection.
kind regards kim