Removing Glued on Roof: Intermountain Boxcars

[Dave Schneider]

I would like to replace the roof on a number of Intermountain boxcars. They are glued on. Any tips for removing the roof?
I have these on hand, so I do not want to go the route of trying to get parts (if available) from IM.

Best wishes, Dave

[mcjaco]

Blowtorch.

[Dave Schneider]

Blowtorch.

So....reading between the lines here.
Are you trying to imply that it is not possible?

Best wishes, Dave

[wazzou]

I've had some success with a single edged razor blade, extreme guile and patience.

[Dave Schneider]

I've had some success with a single edged razor blade, extreme guile and patience.

Hmmm...sounds like prison yard payback! This isn't looking good.

Best wishes, Dave

[skm]

The glue used is pretty brittle, so I have had luck using the blade of an exacto knife inserted along its full length and gently twisting, working all the way round. They usually pop right off! YMMV 

[wcfn100]

It should be possible.  A lot of the time something like a roof is only spot glued so depending on how much seeped along where the parts meet, you should be able to at least have a chance at getting it apart.

Try and find somewhere on the edge where you can get some separation.  In a perfect world you can slide you fingernail along the edge and snap the glue spots.  The reality may be that you can get most of the roof cleanly, but some parts may have welded and will require some cutting.


Jason

[eja]

Surprised no one has yet mentioned putting them in the freezer first.  I know it makes ACC brittle and easier to break the bond.  No idea what IM used, but it might be worth a try.

eja

[benderda]

This is a second vote for a new #11 Exacto blade and patience.  I've successfully taken off half a dozen or so.  I broke off one corner of one roof because I got impatient and tried to "pop" it off.  On the ones I've done the majority of the glue appears to be on the two ends.

[bbussey]

The glue used is pretty brittle, so I have had luck using the blade of an exacto knife inserted along its full length and gently twisting, working all the way round. They usually pop right off! YMMV 

+1.  Works for removing the ends as well.

[Sokramiketes]

Drill a big hole in the underframe and use a dowel to push the roof out.  Depending on what they used for weight you can drill toward the end and miss metal. 

I've drilled out a handful of assembled reefers in order to feed in a steel BB and glue mixture for bringing them up to proper weight.  Yeah you have a big hole in the bottom... but it's the bottom!

[Dave Schneider]

Thanks guys. I will start with the least destructive ways and see what happens.

FYIW, I am trying to change this:



Into this:



Best wishes, Dave

[TiVoPrince]

Tried
weakening the glue with a trip in the freezer?  Cold usually makes glue joints brittle, use that to your advantage...

[wcfn100]

That's a cool prototype Dave, but I'm concerned that you're starting with a car that has the wrong roof, end, doors and sides.   

I do like the sill on that.  I don't know if I've seen one that extend beyond the ends so much.


Jason

[sirenwerks]

That's a cool prototype Dave, but I'm concerned that you're starting with a car that has the wrong roof, end, doors and sides.   

Could be one of the reasons he's trying to get the roof off, no?    Getting the roof off does make it easier to get the ends off too.

BTW Dave, the easiest way to get the roof off is by the car as a kit.