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Question by Fungyi: Can i get solvent-melted polystyrene from model kits to cure as hard as before I melted it?
I’ve been making some plastic coatings for wood by dissolving polystyrene (from plastic model kits) into paint thinner in room temperature. So far, i’ve brushed a number of layers throughout one week to accumulate a solidified film, thickness of about .25 millimeters. However, i noticed that my melted polystyrene is no where as hard (resistence to deformation/tensile strength) as before i melted it…

Do solvents degrade a plastic by ~entering~ it? In my case, do the solvents EVER fully evaporate? Even if i bake it, will my solvent-melted plastic ever be as strong as the injection-molded version?

…i scrapped some old projects with acrylic lacquer paints on it painted YEARS ago, & i could still dent the film with just my FINGER NAILS. On the other hand, the same kind of paint required a KNIFE to scrap off its bottle after only months of opening it. What’s the deal?

ps please don’t suggest to use something other than polystyrene; i’m interested in polystyrene only
the outcome i’m looking for is simply the hardest coating i can get to cover wood

Best answer:

Answer by David W
the polystyrene has oil in it ant the solvent dilluted it, at where I work we vacuum form the piece on the wood, taking a sheet of styrene, heating to wave point, and lowering onto the mold all in one action, what outcome are you looking for??

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