How do I separate glued plastic parts?

There are many occasions when modellers need to strip down a model or reclaim parts that have been previously glued together, and the temptation is often to apply a little force, maybe combined with a spot of sharp knife blade wriggling, to try and separate parts. But before you set about half destroying the very item you wish to reuse or restore, try these methods first.

The second approach is heating. Warming the join on a model with a hairdryer can soften the plastic and affect the chemical bond originally formed by the glue. This method is not quick and requires you to apply heat for several minutes to achieve any effect, but a little perseverance may well separate your model, for free!