2015-11-19 at 10:42 PM UTC
I have some plastic that I would like to damage a small amount but not ti much. I dont want ti completely melt the plastic, just slightly damage the surface. I have tried cutting open a battery and rubbing the black powder onto the plastic but it didn't do anything. I am think hydrichloic acid maybe. Also, different time intervals of exposer could make a differece. I am willing to try a large range of time intervals.
2015-11-19 at 10:48 PM UTC
Depending on the type of plastic any acid wont do anything really. If you can tell us what kind of plastic it is (amino resin, phenolyc, polyeurothane etcetera) we can help you out further.
There are a number of plastics that are pretty fucking chemical resistant.
BTW why do you want to damage it? Whats the use?
2015-11-19 at 10:54 PM UTC
Have you considered using a hairdryer or other controlled heat source to apply heat to cause just the amount of damage your looking for?
2015-11-19 at 11:23 PM UTC
Polyester, and yes I have tried heat which did not work. I actually need something that will only change the very outside layer, not completely melt the plastic.
2015-11-19 at 11:47 PM UTC
The following users say it would be alright if the author of this
post didn't die in a fire!
2015-11-20 at 1:33 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
yeah, you'd want the solvent that corresponds to your specific plastic
if you want to weaken it without visibly damaging it, your best bet might be to drill a hole or core it out and apply the solvent to the inside
2015-11-20 at 1:53 AM UTC
I dont want to weaken it though. I just want it to look a little bit wore on the outside.
2015-11-20 at 2:02 AM UTC
aldra
JIDF Controlled Opposition
take some sandpaper to it?
2015-11-21 at 8:08 AM UTC
Brake cleaner and auto store type of items are a good idea. Have you actually used that type of brake cleaner?
I was looking at some solvents at a retail store. It would have to be an easy to acquire solvent. What I noticed at a local retail store was Acetone, Denatured Alcohol, Lacquer Thinner, and a few others.
2015-11-21 at 8:37 AM UTC
Acetone seems to be the consensus. Should be one of the easiest ones to get too.
2015-11-21 at 8:56 AM UTC
How does it generally react with plastic? Like if I dropped a few drips onto a plastic baggy. Would it just stain it a little but still be see through?
2015-11-21 at 4:41 PM UTC
Do an experiment and report back.
2015-11-25 at 1:36 AM UTC
Sometimes gasoline has an effect on certain plastics.
And like Sophie said, acetone is some potent stuff, I've seen it eat through plastic cups, so a bag wouldn't be a problem at all.
2015-11-25 at 2:30 AM UTC
I'll start experimenting, maybe tomorrow and I'll report my findings.