Reshaping Plastic

[SurfingDoc]

I was rummaging through some old Star Wars "junk" (as the wife would call it) and came across the Hasbro Naboo starfighter that was released with Episode I. Anyway, the vehicle's dimensions look pretty good and since I don't have a model of that for my Star Wars room, I thought I would put a little weathering/distress on it and beef it up. However, the plastic tails are twisted. I can't remember if they were that way from the original package or the fact that they have been boxed up for over 10 years. The plastic tails (or whatever they are made of) are very flexible and can be bent into a straight position but when tension is released, curl back up again.

Anyone have any ideas how to make them straight? I would assume applying heat to them would allow me to reshape them and when they cool, they could be in whatever position I prefer, but I'm not sure how to heat them. The plastic (or whatever) seems so flimsy that I'm afraid it might melt with too much heat. Maybe submerge for 30 sec in boiling water repeatedly to reshape? Maybe some other approach altogether? Ideas? :confused

 

[TazMan2000]

A hair dryer should do the trick. Careful though, some can get quite hot.

TazMan2000

 

[wantabejango]

hot water works good

 

[themanwoaname]

you should throw it out and put a millennium falcon in its place. anything from the prequels is junk.

 

[dreaminspired]

both!
i use boiling water and a bowl of ice water to rapidly cool it to retain the desired shape.

 

[dreaminspired]

you should throw it out and put a millennium falcon in its place. anything from the prequels is junk.

lol. or this