Coping with Malformed, Damaged (or even Missing!) Parts

A NOTE ABOUT MISSING OR DAMAGED PARTS: Most manufacturers will replace broken or damaged parts – often at no charge, and sometimes even if the part was damaged by the modeler. For this reason, I buy as many of my kits as possible direct from the manufacturer. This has two benefits: (1) the manufacturer can be certain that this is a kit I bought brand new instead of used; and (2) the manufacturer gets the benefit of the retail sales price. Please do not abuse their generosity! Always be clear about where and when you bought the kit, whether the damage was original to the kit or caused by you, and offer to pay for a replacement part. These guys are working on razor thin economic margins, and replacement parts (plus shipping!) can be the difference between success or failure for a small manufacturer.

Watch the video that inspired me to buy this kit in the first place:    • Painting details!   All I can say is, Jason Jensen is an artist in every sense of the word. I still learn new ideas from watching his videos.

HOW TO STRAIGHTEN STYRENE PARTS: Straighten styrene parts by submerging them in hot (not boiling!) water. I heat water to 180 degrees Fahrenheit using the temperature probe on my microwave (you could use a thermometer instead). Lay the part on the bottom of a flat pan with gentle weight holding it flat, then submerge in the hot water. Allow the water to cool completely. Repeat as necessary.

Links to items mentioned in this video. (Note: I am NOT endorsing any particular product(s), nor am I compensated by or connected to any of the companies mentioned.) I do NOT guarantee that these links will give you the best available price! Consider these links to be a starting point for your search.

Workshop Kit: https://www.rustyrail.com/Products/HO...

If you don’t have a favorite black wash yet, try this stuff: http://monroemodels.us/aim.weathering... Scroll down to #978 – Quick Age. I use this as a general purpose black wash for all my projects.

Corner Clamps: https://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Indus...

Woodland Scenics Dry Transfers: https://woodlandscenics.woodlandsceni...

Corrugated Metal: https://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mtx/mtx...

LEDs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...

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This video was edited using Shotcut for Linux. Video footage and still images were recorded using a Galaxy A10e phone and a Nikon D7100 camera.