Flattening Plastics....

[Paul]

Is there a known method to flattening slightly warped plastics without damaging them??

I have several that have been heat damaged over the years (only that they are warped, not otherwise artwork damaged....)

Cheers

 

[RudeDogg1]

Put on a flat baking and blast with a heat gun and it will soften and flatten out then leave to cool

 

[Sgt GrizZ]

If you live in Arizona then you can leave em out in the hot desert sun for a while to soften them.

You live in the Midlands though, so scrap that idea

 

[replicas]

Get the oven on and get cooking.

 

[ronsplooter]

Best trick I heard was to use a glass chopping board and a glass dish (Pyrex type of thing). Put the plastic on the chopping board and then the glass dish on top of the plastic. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat up the glass dish from the top and it will transfer through to the plastic and soften it up. The weight of the dish will force it flat and then you just leave to cool....job done

 

[Steve]

the method that worked for me is placing the plastic between 2 pieces of flat metal (Backbox hinges are perfect), clamp them together using C clamps and then heat with a hot air gun/hair dryer.

 

[Paul]

Ok - So I tried the Iron Method on a plastic i had kicking about - So, sanwiched between a glass table and a sheet of Glass and ironed for around 5 mins on full heat.... Then put a box with 4 (unusually full!) bottles of wine in it on top whilst it cooled....

Came out near enough perfect!

No piccies, however i have some others to do, so will do them soon and post pics here

Thanks for all the advice guys

Paul