brittle plastic

[BM2]

I had a strange thing happen recently - I copleted building a PG 1/60  RX-78 -2 and give it a quick wash of mineral spirits to begin weathering - it seeems as though the mineral spirits have made the plastic brittle in some places -parts that had some strain on the pins snapped free. I got it all fixed ,but this is so weird - anybody else ever have this happen?

[Shadowfire]

I've had this happen, but not with mineral spirits. I left one of my painted models in a tub of generic industrial thinner too long, lol. I'm pretty sure you had it happen to you because the spirits were strong as hell, but I've never used mineral spirits before so I don't know. I've heard that they aren't as strong as most solvents, but what you just said has led me to believe otherwise. How much did mineral spirit did you pour on?

[BM2]

just a light coat laid on with a brush

[FichtenFoo]

This belongs in model talk.

Yes... mineral spirits can make plastic brittle. I've had it happen.

[BM2]

This belongs in model talk.

Yes... mineral spirits can make plastic brittle. I've had it happen.

Thanx - glad I haven't lost my mind!

[Scoundrel88]

Ii just started building my first mastergrade model and I was using a lacquer based gunmetal and on a lot of the small parts like joints, they broke which is very saddening.  happened on the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder.